I found these documents of a little known part of Reconstruction history. Apparently the Republican Party controlling the State of Mississippi was willing to fight to stay in power, so much so, they built a Republican Army, by a bill passed called the "Gatling Gun Bill". Newt Knight was named a militia colonel over Republican troops.

Mississippi in 1875: Report of the Select Committee to Inquire Into Mississippi Election of 1875 with the Testimony and Documentary Evidence. Washington Government Printing Office. 1876.

"Brig. Gen. Wm. Gray, of Washington County. February 25,1875. "General Brown, colonel First Regiment Infantry. February 25, 1875. "Major-general State militia, Alexander Warner, of Madison County. Febrnary 26, 1875."'

These gentlemen were all members of the republican party. That General Warner was the chairman of the republican State executive committee.

Of these, Spellman, Gray, and Brown were colored men; no democrats among them.

After the Clinton riot Governor Ames proceeded to perfect the military organization which had been ordered by law; and in the county of Hinds, under anthority known as the "Gatling-gun bill," on the 23d of September, he ordered one thousand Springfield breech-loading muskets to be purchased,'and directed to the adjutant-general of this post. After the receipt of those arms they were issued to companies in this county of Hinds, as follows:

On the 3d of October, 80 guns, with accouterments, were issued to Capt. Chas. Caldwell, (colored.)

On the 5th October, to the same person, 17 were issued.

On the 6th October, 47 issued to Capt. John W. Cleagan, (white.)

On the 7th, 80 stand of arms to Green Tapley, (colored,) with ammunition.

On the 9th of October, 80 issued to Ed. L. Gillin, (colored,) with ammunition.

On the 9th of October, 1865, stand of arms issued to Geo. D. Nixon, (white,) with ammunition.

On the 10th, 80 issued to W. C. Mosely, with ammunition.

On the 11th, 60 issued to Oliver Cromwell, (colored,) with ammunition.

That was in this county; issued with acconterinents, ammunition, &c., to rive uegro companies in the county of Hinds, and two white companies.

Almost without exception the appointments were from the republican party. I do not think of an exception in the military appointments, and two-thirds of the companies that were commissioned in the military service were taken from that party. Probably half were commanded by colored officers.

The following is a full list of the appointments:

First Division.—Brig. Gen. William P. Simonton, of Lee County, March 4, 187S.

Second Division.—Brig. Gen. Marion Campbell, of De Soto County, March 4, 1875.

Third Division.—Brig. Gen. N. B. Bridges, of Oktibbeha County, March 4, 1875; Binds County: Samuel F. Steele, colonel First Regiment Infantry, March 10, 1875; Jasper Count;/: Newton Knight, colonel First Regiment Infantry, March 17, 1875; Lowndes County: W. A. Monroe, captain Columbia Light Artillery, March 17, 1875; Grenada County: C. P. Lincoln, colonel First Regiment Infantry, April 12,1875; Monroe County: James W. Lee, colonel First Regiment Infantry, April 12, 1875.

By order of the commander-in-chief:
A. G. PACKER,
Adjutant- General.