The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-01-09
MU1INY OF A GARRISON.
OUTBREAK AND FR1GHrFUL XxcEssEs OF THE
SOLDIERS AT SANDY POINT, STRAITS OF
MAGELLAN-CoNvIcrs RELEAsED-FoRrU-
NATE ARRIVAL OF AN AMERICAN MAN OF
WAR.

WASHINGTON, jan - 1918.
Commander Rogdsrs, commanding the United states
steamer Adams writes to the Secretary OF the Navy,
from Sandy Point Straits OF Magellan. as ioilows:-
have the honor to report that, In accordance with
the departments instructions, sailed from Monte
video on The 1st Of November, 1877. for VALPARAISO
experienced light and variable winds and foggy
weather during the passage to Cape Virgin. On the
evening Of November II passed Cape Virgin and
anchored for the night at sarmiento bank to await
the tide At about ten O'Clock r. N. q steamer was
discovered approaching us from the westward, making
signals with rockets and blue lights. She passed
within hail and asked q boat TO be sent on board
reporting at tho Same time that q revolution had
just occurred at San sy Point and that she had
refugees on board / Immediately sent officer on
board, who returned with Captain Wilson, of the Ger
man steamer Memphis. from Valparaiso tor Monte
video He reported that some distance TO the west
ward OF Sandy Point no had been boarded by tho Eng
lish Vice Consul at Sandy Point, who had informed
him that mutny OF the entire garrison had broken
out at Sandy Point, and that the convicts had been
liberated and all sorts OF violence and outrages
being committed, and warned Captaic Wilson not 10
stop at Sandy Point He, however, determined to do
so. Upon approaching Sandy Point the Memphis was
boarded by boat containing the captain post in
irons three Of tho mutincers (sodiers and
u
official Captain Wilson disarmed the soldiers took
tho Memphis was 1rod at several times from the
shore by the mutneers, who possession Of oil
the artillery, well as tho small arms OF tho post
She was not struck, however Tho Memphis then
proceeded with all despatch toward Montsvdco, and
In doing fell in with his vessel. Captain Wilson
requested TO take the people from Sandy Point on
board that they might return. accordingly did so.
and took also the boat which belonged tho captain
OF the post.
PLAN TO SEIZE THE STEAMER.
Upon receiving the prisoners on board placed the
three soldiers ana two convcts under guard and
discovered from the captain OF the post that the
tincers the boat had been from with him.
prisoners. to bring or dscoy tho Memphis
into an anchorage under the penalty OF being shot,
with the result above stated appears that plan
OF the mutineers was to possession OF tho Mem-
phls and SO OF in her, or, failing in that, TO
take the Pacific Steam Navigation Company q
steamer, then about due from Valparaiso
got under way with all despatch TOR
Sandy Point, hoping TO reach this place before dark
on the 18th. strong westerly gale, however, pre-
ven'ed my getting further than Gregory Bay, where
was obliged to anchor for tho night got under
way on tho morning OF the l4th, and reached this
place SANDY Pont at halt-past six p. u.
ARRIVED AT SANDY POINT
In the afternoon, on tho way up, tho guns were
loaded well the small arms and all preparations
made for any emergency. Upon my arrival hero l
found the Chilian corvette Magelaues already here,
having come down from Skyring Water. where she
had been employed surveying. went ON board Of her
and found tho Governor Of the colony there have
gathered the following particulars what seems
10 DO the most terrible mutiny on record tar 70
numbers concerned.
DETAILS OF THE MUrIKY.
II appears that at about midnight OF Sunday, Novem.
Der IL, the people Of tho town were alarmed by tho
discharge Of artillery aud firearms. Tho nrst murder
committed seems to have been that Of tho captain OF
the company OF soldiers, numbering about one hun
dred. who were regular ARTILLERY Ioop& They mutt
lated tho captain in the most horrible marner and
tbcn opened ro with pieces OF arlllsry upon
the Governors house, directly In front Of tho barracks
The Governor upon making his appearance, was
knocked In the head and lett insensible. He, how.
ever, recovered amer some time and made his escape
to the country. HIS family also escaped. almost nakcd
to tho woods. Tho mutineers then released the con.
vc,s and altogether they numbered noarly two hun
dred, armed with Winchester and spencer rifles.
FRiGHrFUL ExcEssEa
During Monday, November IL tho mutneers seem
to have committed the most incredible excuses IN
tho way Of wanton Killing burning and sacking. ON
place and TOOK TO the country, carrying with them oil
the public funds ana much private property. Tho last
hoard from them that they numbered ninety four
armed men and about two days march from here
the way to Santa Cruz As last destruction
the mutineers burned all the public property and nu
ber OF stores fact the best part OF the town Is In
ashes Upon my arrival the streets were strewn with
tho dead bodies OF the killed. thirty OF which gath
cred up. Most OF tho Killed wero soldiers, who had
been shooting zach other indscriminateiy. II Is
stated that ut least fIty people were killed. Many Of
the dead and wounded wcro burned In the building.
The hospital was burned with i've wounded mon In
It.
CITIZENS REruRSISG.
Since the time OF my arrival the peaceablc citizens
particularly women and children, have been coming
in from the mountains where they had been concealed
for several days and suffered very much. Tho town
nov guarded by a force landed IRON tho Magellanes
and is comparatively quiet Upon my. arrival hero
Immediately made offers to the Governor any assis-
lance he might require, for which ho seemed very
much gratiled, and stated that he thought the pres.
OF this vessel great importance the time. lie
also thanked mo Tor the measures l had already
taken. The Governor has requested TO remain
here for the present; until he feels secure and have
told hip would do SO. Tho only forco ~ his dts
Dosal Is the crew Of the Mageilanes, and thcre
number OF persons to be looked out for Reinforce
monts expected IRON Valparaiso about ton days,
when the mutineers will DO pursued.
CAUSE or rho REVOLT.
As TO tho cause Of tho revolt at this time there
seems to be as yet no reliable Information. IL seems
have been sudden and entirely cipated. 1t
reported and believed that The padre priest OF
this colony has had much to do in instigating It, he
being enemy OF the government, and Is now ono
OF tho prisoners confined on board tho Magcilanes
In the destruction OF property here not the slightest
regard was paid to any nationality. FOUNDER
shot was Tired clear through the English Consulate,
tho Vice Consul himself pursued aud fred at
number OF times. He. however, escaped In his own
boat There are no American citizens or subjects OF
the United States here. The coal mines have not
been worked for some time, ana there to DO
had here. Fortunately there Is u small quantity OF
government coal here, and the Governor kindly
allowed me to have nity tons, winch have taken on