Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-01-09
TERRIBLE. MUTINY.
Revolution at Sandy Point.
Straits Of MAGELLAN.
MURDER OF ABOUT so PEOPLE.
COnVicts Liberated and All Kinds
OF RiOtOus Proceedings.
TERRIBLE DESTRUCTION OF ALL
SORTS OF PROPERTY.

W ASHlNGION, DhDuaiN q. AOmtUlDuCI hOug-
ers, commanding the L. S. steamship Adams
writes to the Secretary of the Navy, from SANDY
Point, Straits of MAGELLAN.
In accordance with the departments instruc-
tons, sailed from Moutevdeo Nov. |, 1877, for
Valparaiso. | experienced light, variable winds
and much foggy weather during the passage to
Cape Virgins.
The evening of Nov. II, passed Cape Virgin,
and anchored for the night at Sarmiento Bank to
await the tide. About 10 p. NJ, a steamer was
discovered approaching US from the westward
making signals with rockets and blue lights She
passed within hail and asked that a boat be sent
on board, reporting at the same time that tcvo-
luton had occeired at SANDY Point" and that
she had some refugees on board.
| Immediately sent an officer, who returned with
Capt. Wilson of the German steamer memphis, :"
from Valparaiso for MonteSileo lie leIor,ed
that some distance to the westward of Sandy Point
he had been boarded by the Eng.h Wee Consul
at Sandy Point, who Informed him that a mutiuv
of the entire garrison had broken out at Sandy
Pont-conv.cts liberated and all sorts of violence
and outrage was being committed, and warned
Capt Wilson not to stop there lie, however, de-
termned to do So.
Approaching Sandy Point the "Menphis" was
boarded by boat containing tao captain of the
post IN irons, three of the mutneels (solders)
two convlcts and three other persons, one OF whom
was government official. Capt. Wilson disarm.
cd the soldiers and took all the occupants of the
boat on board.
While hosting the boat he Memphis was fred
at several times from the snote, by the mutineers
who were in possession Of all The battery and
small arms of the post.
She was not struck, however. but then proceed
ed with all despatch towards Montvedeo, and in
doing SO fell in with the vessel.
Capt Wilson requested me to take the people
from sandy Poiut on board, that they might re
turn. | accordingly did so, and took also the
boat, which belonged to the Captain of the post.
Upon receiving the persons on board placed the
three soldiers and two conyicts under guard, and
then discovered from the captain of the post that
the mutineers in the boat had been sc mt from
there with him as prisoners, to bring or decoy the
steamer Memphis into anchorage, under the pen
atty OF being shot at, with the result above men
toned.
1t appears that the plan OF the mutinscrs was to
take possession of the Memphis and go off 10 her,
or falling in that TO take the Pacific Steam Nayi.
CATION Co.'S steamer, then about due for Valparai-
got under wav with all despatch for Sandy
Point hoping to reach the place before dark on
the 18th. got under way the morning of the
Eth, and reached Sandy Point at 6.3O in the eve
ming.
On the way up the guns were loaded. as well as
the small arms, and all preparations were made
ioI any emergency. Upon my arrival here |
found the Gillian corvette "Mageanos" already
here, having come down from SkyringwateI,
where she had been employed surveying. | went
on board her and found the governor of the colo
ny there, and have since gathered the follow log
PARTICULARS OF what seems tue most terrible mutt
ny on secord, SO far as numbers. is concerned
IL appears that about mdni 1ht Sunday, Nov.
ii, the people OF the town were alarmed by the
discharge of artillery and firearms. The first
murder committed seems to have been that Of
captain OF company of sol Tiers numbe ling about
100, who were regular artillery troops. They mu-
tllaed the captain III the most horrible manner,
and then opened fire with several pieces of altil-
lety upon the governors house, directly in front
of the barracks.
The governor upon making his appearance was
knocked on the head and lett inscnsible. He
however recovered after some time and made bis
escape to the county. His family also escaped to
the country.
The mutneers then released the conyicts and
altogether they numbered nearly two hundred
armed with Winchester and Spencer rifles.
During Monday November 18th, the mutineers
seem TO have committed the most incredible ex-
cesses in the way Of wanton killing aud burning
and sacking,
On the 18th the mutincers deserted the place
and took to the country, carrying all the public
funds and much private property. The last heard
from them was that they numbered ninety -four
armed men. and were about two days march from
here on their way to Santa Cruz.
As the last act of destruction the mutineers
burned all public property and number of stores
and IN fact the best pant of the town is in ashes
Upon my arrival the streets strewn with
dead bodies of the killed. Most of the killed
Unfortunately
1t is estimated that at least fifty people were
killed. Many dead and wounded were burned in
the buildings. The hospital was burned with five
wounded men in it.
Since my arrival, peaceabe citizens, and par
ticulsrly women and children have been coming
in from the mountains where they have been con-
Ceaed for several days, and have suffered much
Tue town is now guarded by force landed from
the Magdlanes, and is comparatively quiet.
Upon my arrival Immediately made offers to
the governor of any assistance he might require
for which he seemed very much gratfed, and
stated that he thought the presence OF this vessel
of great Importance at the time.
The governor has requested me to remain here
for the present, until he feels secure, and have
told him would do so. Reiniorcements arc ex-
pected from Valparaiso in about ten days, when
the mutineers will be pursued.
AS to the cause of the revolt there seems as
pet no reliable information. 1t seems to have
been entirely upsnticipated. 1t is reported and
believed that the padra priest of this colony
has had much to do in instlgaling it, he being an
enemy of the government, and he is now one Of
the prisoners on the Magazines.
In the destruction Of property there not
the slightest regard paid to any nationality. A
twelve pound shot was fired clean through the
English consulate, and the vice consul himself
was pursued and fired at a number of times.
There are no American citizens or subjects CT