The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-08-30
The Revolt I'm the seventy-Ninth
ReRimanf.

The Revolt I'm the Seventy-Nlnth
va. IS REGIMENT. sses :. 4asg
The Washington correspondent Of the
Philadelphia Press, gives some details of
the revolt in the Highland regiment, refer
red to by telegraph short time since
They were encamped on Meridian Hill,
in the suburbs of Washington. went out
to the camp in the course of Wednesday,
and found the men more like mob than
regiment of soldiers. Many of them we're
intoxicated, having just been paid of, and
those who had drank the most were the
most turbulent and noisy. A large quanti-
ty Of liquor had been surreptitiously intro
duced into the camp, and its use had gone
far towards demoralizing the men. l
They had been ordered to march into
Virginia in the morning, and had positively
refused to obey.
colonel Stevens had been with them dur
ing the day, endeavoring to restore peace,
but his exertions were of no avail. General
Sickles was also present, for the same pur-
pose. At one time demonstration was
made upon General Sickles, but he cOolly
rode through the mutineers, and although
unarmed, his demeanor prevented them from
assaulting him.
A large part of the regiment was dis.
armed by General Sickles, and the remain
der, whom be considered trustworthy, were
placed over the encampment as guard.
No persuasion could induce the men to re-
turn to their duty, and it was found that
nothing but the severest measures would be
of any avail. General Mcclellan directed
General Porter, the provost marshal, to see
that discipline was enforced. General Por.
ter ordered the battalion of the Third reg.
ular infantry, two companies of cavalry, and
battery OF some six or eight pieces.
The mutineers were encamped on the side
of hill, which was rather sparsely wooded.
The cavalry first came on the ground, and
one of the companies formed on the hill top.
The infantry marched past, and we're drawn
up Oh the side OF the hill, the line extend.
ing to the base, and at an angle with the
horsemen. The command was then given
by Colonel Stevens to the Seventy ninth to
fall in, and was obeyed with some reluct-
ance. The line was formed on the road at
the bottom of the hill, and the regiment
marched up towards Fourteenth street, with
colors flying and band playing.
A few were so intoxicated that they
could not obey orders, and they were left on
the field to be arrested by the patrol. The
regiment marched up the road in tOlerable
good order, although the soldiers manifested
defiant and disagreeable spirit. The cav
airy and infantry followed them until they
arrived on Fourteenth street, where the Or
der was given to halt.
They halted on part of the street sparse
ly inhabited, and about the distance of
iurlough from ther encampment. After
the Seventy-ninth had halted, the cavalry
rode over into the meadow about fifty pa
ces from the road, aud formed 10 line
parallel with the road. The infan ~ then
came up, and formed 10 line al right ans
giles with the cavalry, and extended 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
was then marched up the road and formed
on the other side of the street, Immediately
opposite and facing the Seventy-ninth,
while the cavalry retired to more distant
part of the meadow.
The lines having been formed, Genera
Porter and his staff, accompanied by Col.
Stevens, rode up to the centre. Alter a
moment or two of delay, an aid OF General
Porter read the orders CT General McClel-
Ian 10 remarkably clear and distinct tone of
voice. He stated that be had heard with
pain and sorrow of the disaffecton which
existed among the members OF the Seventy
ninth regiment ; that he had listened
attentively to their alleged grievances, and,
after examining them with care, was COM
PEELED to say that they were of the most
frivolous character.
At time like this, when the country
needed the services of her children, the ex
hibition of such spirit as that manifested
by the Seventy ninth could only come from
the basest motives which could actuate the
soldier, and would lead to the belief that
their conduct was prompted by cowardice.
AS punishment he ordered that the regis
ment should be deprived of its colors until,
by future good behavior and honorable SER
vice on the field of battle, its soldiers showed
themselves worthy to bear them. The rug
leaders of the mutiny were to be placed 10
arrest, and the regiment was to be ordered
to fall in by company and march to the
quarters assigned them in Virginia, and il
they refused to obey this order they were
to be fred upon.
The scene during the reading was exceed
ingly impressive. The sun was just going
down, and in the hazy, uncertain twilight,
the features and forms of officers and men
could scarcely be distinguished. Imm d.
ately be- ind his aid was General fOr,tr,
firm and self possessed. Col Stevens was
in front of his own regiment, endeavorIng
to quiet his rather nervous horse. In the
rear of the regulars, and little distance
apart, General Sickles sat carelessIy on
horseback, coolly smoking cigar and con
versipg with some friends
At one time during the reading muir
muir passed through the line OF its mutt
neers, and when that portion of the order
directing the regiment to surrender it's COL
ors was read, private in one of the rear
companies cried out 10 broad Scotch tones
"Let's keep the colors, boys!' No response
was made by the remainder OF the regiment.
Major Sykes at once rode up the line to