The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-08-17
THE MUTINY OF THE NEW YORK SEVENTY
NINTH.
LETTER HOME FROM ONE OF THE MEMBERS.


WASHINGTON, August 10, 1861.
DgAR MorRR--I suppose you have been expecting let
ter from for time, butt expected to have been
in New York before this the regiment ordered home
to elect colonel and other officers many having been
killed at the late battle We all in the best Of spirits
expecting TO see our whom found we were
being deceived They ordered an election Of colonel and
then countermanded IT, seeing Major McIeand would BIO
elected and appointed Colonel Stevens coone! Of
regiment and then ordered into Sicklcs' brigade We
have officers and refused TO recognise Colonel Ste
vens being State militia and il being infringement
on our rights to appoint colonel Major Captain Bar
clay having resigned, we had officers could depend
upon so we iadOwn and refused TO march, thus
we are considered in state Of mutny The matter is to
be investigated, and think we will be rghed am
sorry has happened and ii would be too bad it. after
all we have done the Seventy ninth to be dsgraced
Ba VIC must hope for the best. r. c.
Correspondence of the Philadelphia Press.
WASHINGTON August 15 1894.
For the past day or two SYMPTOMS of disalecton have
been manifested by the New York Seventy ninth cgi.
ment You will rccolect this rs the Highlander Scotch
regiment recruited in New York city, and commanded by
the late amented Colonel Cameron 1t tho only dis
tnctvciy Scotch regiment IN the service and exhibited
its nationality by wearing sort Of hall plaid Uniform II
rs composed Of excellent fighting material and parade
always presented military aud rather picturesque APP
pcarance Notwithstanding it has been the recipient Of
many marks of attention. and always favo1ite regiment
With those in authority its members have been exceed
mgly intractabe, andt was found very difficult to pre-
discipline among them. Colonel Cameron enforced
obedience and although he strict dlscpInarian,
and exceedingly popular as an officer, he frequently
annoyed by the exhibition Of dsorderly and mutnous
spirit.
This last disturbance was of n more serious nature
however, than amy which has yet taken place. have
heard number OF statements in relation IL and the
most acknowledgements ridiculous stories told in
ton or the breach of discipline One alleges that the
do not wish to Join the brigade Of General Sickles TO
which they had been assigned Another story that
they did not want Ex-Governor l. Stevens Of oregon,
their Colonel because he was not considered con-
petent officer but because he a citizen Of New
York Others stated that i was New York militia regi-
men, and therefore should be permitted go home at
the expiration Of three months, as the Sixty ninth
were permitted TO go home forgetting that while the Six
ty ninth had enlisted for three months ONLY they had
been enlisted and accepted for the war
Another story-and this the generally be.
levedwas that Immediately after the battle of Manas.
sas they had been promised permission New
York to sec their wives and children and after recruit
ing for week or two to come back again Wash
That such promise was given to the regiment to
be probable as nearly every soldier with whom con.
versrd asserted that had been made by the command
ing ncer Lieutenant Colonel Elliott under the direction
o. the Secretary OF War. ! am Informed on high au-
thority however, that the Secretary gave such pro-
mise and that any Of the officers Informed the men,
they did it without his knowledge.
Whatever the may have BEEN Is very certain
that there was general spirit OF disancction among the
troops, amounting to mutny. They were encamped
Meridian Hill, q rather attractive spot in the su.
burbs or Washington. ! went out TO the camp in the
course of yesterday, and found the like mob
thaa a regiment Of soldiers Many of them were in
toXcated having just been paid of and those who had
drank the most were the most turbulent and noisy
demoralzng the men, Some Of the soldiers were Sleep
ing near fences under the influence Of liquor and others
were gathered in squads violently decaimng against
wrongs under which they supposed they were suffering
They hal been ordered to march into Virginia in the
morning and had positively refused to obey. The gene
ral cry was that sooner than obey they would die that
they would be shot, but not imposed upon; that they
would have their rights or eight, and SO on Colonel
Stevens had with them during the day endeayorng
to restore peace, but his exerons of avail Gen
sickles was also present for the same purpose. Al
he cooy rode through the mutineers and although
armed his deIneanor prevented them from assaulting
him. Colonel Stevens also threatened am told but
no demonstration actually made.
large part of the regiment were disarmcd by Gen.
Sickics and the remainder whom he considered trust
worthy, were placed over the encampment guard.
No persuasion could induce the to return their
duty, and it was found that nothing but the severest
measures would be OF any avail Gen Mcclellan directed
Gen Porter the Provost Marshall that discipline
enforced Gen Porter ordered battalion of the
Third regular infantry, commanded by Maj Geo. Sykes,
two companies OF cavalry and battery OF some six or
cght pieces At about four O'Clock the infantry formed
IN line on New York avenue and proceeded up Fourteenth
street, preceded by the artillery and cavalry, and
eompanied by Gen Porter aud his staff.
The mutineers were encamped on the side Of hill,
came on the ground, and one Of the companies
formed on the hill top. The infantry marched
past, and were drawn up on the side of the
bill, the line extending 40 the base, and at
angle with the horsemen. The command then given
by Colonel stevens to thu Seventy ninth to fall in, and
was obeyed with some reluctance The limo was formed
the road at the bottom of the hill and the regiment
marched up towards Fourteenth street with coors flying
and band playing few were so intoxicated that they
could not obey the orders and they left the field
10 be arrested by the patrol The regiment marched up
the road in oleraby good order, although tho soldiers
manifested n defiant and dsagrceable spirit Some we're
shouting and cheering esp ciay as the cavalry passed,
while others, who did not have arms carrying sticks
ON their shoulders The cavalry and infantry followed
them until they arrived on Fourteenth street where the
order was given IT, malt
They hated on part Of the street sparsey inhabited
and about the distance of "a furlong from their en-
cAinDnclt. On each side OF the road
large meadows, soft, marshy, low aud in some
s cT dfr Ss n, p halted s Do Ssrx
rode over into the meadow about fifty PAGES from
the road, aud formed in line parallel with the road
The infantry then came up, and formed in line at right
angles with the cavalry and extending across the road
into the meadow on each side The mutinous regiment
was directed to form in line on the side of The road
parallel with the cavalry. The regular battalion
then marched up the road and formed the other Side Of
the street Immediately opposite and facing the Seventy
ninth viii? the cavalry retired to more distant part Of
Tho lines having been formed Cen Porter and his sta
accompanied by Col Stevens and Major Sykes rode up
Gen Porter read the orders Of Gen Mcclellan in re
markaby clear and distinct tone Of voice. The orders
have not yet been pub ishcd, and what l write OF
them ls merely from recollection He stated that
he had heard with pain and Of the disaf-
fecon which existed among the members Of the
seventy ninth cn that lie had listened attentivcy
to their alleged grievances, and after examining them
with compelled say that they were OF the
most frivolous character.
AT time like this. when the country needed the ser
vices Of her children the exhibition Of such spirit as
that manifested by the Seventy ninth could only come
from The bases motives which could acuate the soldier
and would lead to tho belief that their conduct was
prompted by cowardicc. As punishment, he ordered
that the regiment should be deprived Of its colors until
by future good behavior and honorable service the
field Of battle It's soldiers showed themselves worthy TO
bear them. The ringleadcrs OF the muny were he
placed III arrest and the regiment TO be ordered
fall in by company and march to the quarters assigned
them in Virginia, and -they refused to obey this order
they We're to be lred upon.
The scene during the reading exceedingly impress
vd. The sun was just gong down, and IN the haZy
certain twilight the features and o' ms Of officers and
could scarcely be Distinguished. Immediately behind
his aid General Porter, firm and self posses cl.
Colonel stevens in front Of his regiment endea
vOrug 20 quiet his rather horse. In the of
tho regulars, and little distance apart, General Sckies
sat Carccssly on h0rsehaCk cOUly smoking and
conversing with riend At one time during the reading
hnrmuf passed through the uc OF the mutneers. and
wheA that portion Of The order directing the regiment
10 surrender coors read private IN one of the
rear companies cried out IN broad scotch tones let's
keep the colors, boys r. 30 response made by the
remainder Of the regiment Major Sy kes az rode up
the iire 10 where the voice heard. IL would have
been more than that soldiers L. worth had he
discovered az the moment in pistol range, by the
officers. When The reading CONCLUDED voice cried
out hreA and number ol spectators IN the rear OF The