Sept. 27, 1962 - The Justice Department abandoned tonight a fourth attempt to register James H. Meredith, a Negro, at the University of Mississippi. A Department statement said the Federal marshals accompanying Mr. Meredith had been called back because of the possibility of “major violence and bloodshed.” Hundreds of state policemen, sheriffs, and students had gathered at the university in Oxford to resist any attempt at entry. As tension mounted in the greatest Federal-state clash since the Civil War, the Justice Department ordered “several hundred” more marshals (pictured) to Memphis, Tenn., about 60 miles from Oxford. Federal forces have gathered there for their efforts to enroll Mr. Meredith. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy conferred with a high Army officer about plans to move in troops if necessary. The officer was Maj. Gen. Creighton W. Abrams, director of operations in the office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Military Operations.
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