Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-11-03
THE BAY STATE BUMMERS.
Correspondence Chicago Timcs.l

COLUMBIA, S. c., October 24.-As the pub
lie have manifested considerable interest in
the conduct of the Massachusetts militia en-
route and while at Yorktown, no newspaper
having satisfied their appetite, member OF
The South Carolina battalion, who was an
eye witness to their behavior, has given an &C.
count to the Times correspondent When
they arrived at Washington at 7.30 Sunday
night, the 18th instant, they were taken under
escort of the National Rifles, and left for
Richmond, Va, about $50. While in Wash.
ington they were noisy and boisterous, and
did not receive commendation for good be-
havior. They arrived at Richmond at
A. NJ. on Monday, the 18th instant, and there
displayed riotous qualities. They were the
guests of the city and received every atten.
ton gentlemen could expect, but acted like
towards and desperadoes. They took pos
session of drays and wagons on the streets,
throwing the drivers off, went into bar-rooms,
elected the bar-keepers, and served them
selves with all the liquor they wanted. Worst
of all, they were low enough, while fred up
with their stolen whisky, to throw their filthy,
drunken arms around respectable ladies on
the streets, call them by the familiar name Of
ISIS" and kiss them. Several of the men
were put in the lookup for their disgraceful
conduct. Their behavior was 80 offensive
that, despite the fact that they were the city
guests, the mayor had to give them four
hours in which to leave the city, and Cover
nor Cornell, of New York, rendered the 18th
Brooklyn Regiment, also guests of the city,
to assist the municipal authorities in ejecting
the rowdies. They promenaded the streets Of
Richmond in gangs, being too cowardly to
walk alone. They tore down the magnificent
decorations which had been erected in many
parts of the city in honor of the glorious centen
NAL which the nation had gathered to cele
brate. Lewd houses were their glory, and
many of them boasted on the train to York
town of the number of males and females that
occupied one room at the same time, and of the
temporary possession they took of the bagnios,
manifesting a peculiar preference for negro
prostitutes. They left Richmond about 10
o'clock Monday morning, and throughout
the Journey indulged in the flthiest language.
When the train reached Chckahominy they
went into store where the proprietor bad made
special arrangements for the accommodation
Of the soldiers and ransacked the establish
ment to the last bit of stock that was in it.
The officers made their appearance after the
poor store.keeper had been robbed of all he
had, and ordered their men to the train. At
Williamsburg, the historic location Of Will
liam and Mary College, and the scene of
many bloody conflicts during the Revolution
ary war, as we'll as in 'the late unpleasant
ness," they again behaved outrageously, and
robbed stores of all they wanted, or even
more Their insults to ladies met with an
unex xpected rebuke at Williamsburg One of
the Massachusetts fellows insulted lady on
the streets, when the captain Of Kentucky
company, believed to be the McCreary Guards,
of Frankfort, who heard his vile language,
Immediately knocked the brute to the ground.
Several Of the dastard's comrades came to his
assistance, but tho brave Kentuckian drew
his revolver and de6ed them to advance a
step toward him. In the meantime the Ken.
lucky troops gathered around their brave
officer, and it was with difficulty that bloody
conflict was prevented. Arriving at York
town they were Stunned by all the troops,
and at several Northern and Southern head
quarters special orders we're issued to prohib-
it the Massachusetts troops from entering the
lines under any circumstances. One thing
has been said in their favor, that no better
drilled troops we're on the ground, and it is
with regret that this report is made of their
disgraceful conduct. The Times correspor.
dent also learns that bloody encounter
came near occurring between Michigan and
Kentucky troops, the former cursing the Ken
tuckians for id rebel - -, and af-
ter being at it long time, the Kentucky reg
iment formed in line, loaded their rifles with
ball cartridges, and only retired to their
quarters after General Hancock had heard of
the trouble, and issued orders to the officers,
which prevented conflict.
Adjutant General Berry, Of Massachusetts,,
has issued special order commanding de-
tail of one staff and one line officer from the
First Brigade to visit Wilmington, DEL,
Richmond, Va, and other places, to investi-
gate the charges made against the Ninth
Massachusetts Regiment on their late visit to
Yorktown.