The banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1844-1847, 1846-09-16
From the Nen Orleans Delta.
RIOT AND DBLOODSHED in THE
ARMVt

cessity under which we exist as public
journalists, compels us to record the facts
contained in the following extract of a
letter from the Rio Grande.
We had hoped from the letter recently
published in the Washington Union. by
the Adjutant Of the Georgia Regiment,
against the Louisiana volunteers, that
the Georgians might possibly behave
themsclves-but we find that though
the Louisianians never did any thing
undeserving of praise, yet the Georgians
know no discipline except that taught
by the bayonct
STEAMSHIP McK1M,Sept d, 1916.
To the Editors of tile Delta.
Gentlemen-During the afternoon of
the 3lst ult. fivecompanies of one Geor-
g'a regiment, went on board of a
steamboat (name not given) to be car
ricd up to Camargo. Two of these
companies had been at variance several
days, and being brought so close to-
gether, quarels ensued, and words soon
led to blows, and in shor: time gene.
raj riot was raging on the upper deck.
Col. Baker, of the 4th Regiment OF
Illinois Volunteers, encamped about
half mile from the boat, determined 10
tender his services to quell the riot.
About sunset he ordered out Companies
A and G for that purpose-,hc former
commanded by Capt. Roberts, of
Springfield, ILL.,, and the latter by Capt.
Jones, of Tazewell county. While the
companies Were forming. a funeral
escort, belonging to Company c. of Ma
con Ga, commanded by Capt. Pugh,
were returning from the grave. COL
!5aker took the command Of the small
squad, and hurried to the boat. AS he
he approached, the Col. of the Georgia
Regiment asked his assistance in quel-
ling the riot. Col Baker. at the head of
his 20 men, pressed upon the boat, and
was at once attacked by the rioters, who
were driven back for awhile, the Co..,
with his sword, defending himself brave
ly against the bayonets of several for u
few minutes but he fell as dead, ha-
wing received ball in the back part of
the neck.
Capt. Post (Commissary) and Ser
geant Oglesby, with their little squad,
fought over the body of their Colonel
bravel y, the first two and six of the pri-
Yates receiving wounds-two mortal.
BY this time Capt. Roberts arrived with
his company He saw the situation of
Col. and his little band overpowered,
and rushed to their relief But in at
tempting to ascend the stairs leading to
the upper deck, he received a bayonet
in his neck, it having passed under the
skin, from the front of his neck to the
back, about three inches. Seing it was
impossible ioascend the stairs, so strongly
fortified by the rioters, Capts Roberts and
Jones' Companies retrea'ed, CARRYING
Col. Baker from the boat as dead. The
Colonel soon revived.
The Illinois companies had no ball
cartridges up to this time. Lieut.. Moore
and Major Harris now arrived with the
balance of the 4th Regiment of Illinois
Volunteers, with ball cartridges; and
the riot soon ceasing the Georgians
were disarmed and put under guard du-
ring the night, and up to the time of the
departure of the express.
Col Bakers wound was not consde-
red mortal, but would require the most
skilful surgery. Capt. Roberts wound
was not considered mortal. Capt Pos,
was stabbed in the breast-wound not
mortal. The wounds of the seven 9TH
ers of Company G., rot given in detail,
but two OF them were considered NOR
tall> wounded.
On the morning of the lst inst, about
80 Of the wounded (some mortality
were upon the boat and shore, and it
was generally believed that the dead (at
least 8 or 10Y had been thrown over
board. 1t is said that the Colonel of the
Georgia Regiment shot several of his
own men, ringleaders in the riot.
The Captain Of the Georgia company,
while resisting Col. Baker and his 90
brave volunteers was knocked down
with the but of musket, and thus disa-