Colored Troops and Texas.
August 25, 1906
Summary
Due to an “outbreak of trouble,” President Roosevelt withdrawals three companies of colored troops, leading to huge controversy within the station.
Transcription
Colored Troops and Texas.
President Roosevelt Grants request of the Citizens
The War Department Obeys orders-- The President direct fort brown be dismantled-- White citizens do not like the idea-- Senator Culberson Protests
Under instructions from the President, Gen. Ainsworth, acting Sec. of War yesterday wired orders to the commanding general of the Dept. of Texas directing the withdrawal of the three companies of colored soldiers whose presence last week precipitated a race war resulting in the killing of one white civilian and the wounding of the chief of police of Brownsville.
The colored companies are to be sent to Fort Ringgold, Tex., and their place at Fort Brown is to be taken by one company of the Twenty sixth Infantry, now at Fort Ringgold. The orders are to make the change with all possible dispatch.
Since the outbreak of the trouble of a citizens’ guard has been stationed just outside the fort, and threats have been made to shoot any Negro soldier who appeared outside the military reservation. Senator Bailey and Senator Culberson and other members of the Texas delegation made several appeals to the War Department, asking for the withdrawal of the Negro troops. After a careful investigation of the situation, the department has decided that it would be wise to pursue such a course.
Gen. Ainsworth yesterday received a mail report from Maj. Penrose, commanding at Fort Brown, giving in detail an account of the trouble. He states that shortly after midnight on the night of August 14, the garrison was aroused by a furious fusillade of shots, apparently not more than 100 feet from the barracks. It lasted for eight or ten minutes, and more than 100 shots were fired. Maj. Penrose thought the garrison was being attacked, and ordered everybody under arms. The roll was called, and only two privates were found to be missing. A search for the missing men was made but they could not be found.
Later the mayor reported that a civilian had been killed by soldiers in uniform, and the chief of police wounded. Convincing proof was furnished to him that ti was the case, Maj. Penrose says. Less than ten soldiers were implicated in the trouble.
Maj. Penrose expresses the opinions that some of the soldiers must have had keys to the gym racks, stole the rifles, slipped out of quarters, and returned while the cimoanies were being formed, and cleaned their guns early in the morning so as to avoid detection.
Maj. Penrose says there is no doubt that soldiers have been subjected to some indignities by the people of Brownsville.
President Roosevelt Grants request of the Citizens
The War Department Obeys orders-- The President direct fort brown be dismantled-- White citizens do not like the idea-- Senator Culberson Protests
Under instructions from the President, Gen. Ainsworth, acting Sec. of War yesterday wired orders to the commanding general of the Dept. of Texas directing the withdrawal of the three companies of colored soldiers whose presence last week precipitated a race war resulting in the killing of one white civilian and the wounding of the chief of police of Brownsville.
The colored companies are to be sent to Fort Ringgold, Tex., and their place at Fort Brown is to be taken by one company of the Twenty sixth Infantry, now at Fort Ringgold. The orders are to make the change with all possible dispatch.
Since the outbreak of the trouble of a citizens’ guard has been stationed just outside the fort, and threats have been made to shoot any Negro soldier who appeared outside the military reservation. Senator Bailey and Senator Culberson and other members of the Texas delegation made several appeals to the War Department, asking for the withdrawal of the Negro troops. After a careful investigation of the situation, the department has decided that it would be wise to pursue such a course.
Gen. Ainsworth yesterday received a mail report from Maj. Penrose, commanding at Fort Brown, giving in detail an account of the trouble. He states that shortly after midnight on the night of August 14, the garrison was aroused by a furious fusillade of shots, apparently not more than 100 feet from the barracks. It lasted for eight or ten minutes, and more than 100 shots were fired. Maj. Penrose thought the garrison was being attacked, and ordered everybody under arms. The roll was called, and only two privates were found to be missing. A search for the missing men was made but they could not be found.
Later the mayor reported that a civilian had been killed by soldiers in uniform, and the chief of police wounded. Convincing proof was furnished to him that ti was the case, Maj. Penrose says. Less than ten soldiers were implicated in the trouble.
Maj. Penrose expresses the opinions that some of the soldiers must have had keys to the gym racks, stole the rifles, slipped out of quarters, and returned while the cimoanies were being formed, and cleaned their guns early in the morning so as to avoid detection.
Maj. Penrose says there is no doubt that soldiers have been subjected to some indignities by the people of Brownsville.
About this article
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Lower Right Quadrant
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Contributed By
Emma Roberts
Citation
“Colored Troops and Texas.,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed December 7, 2025, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/689.