Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-10-27
BAY STATE BUMMERS
PILLAGING STORES AND INSULTING
RESPECTABLE WOMEN,
Outrageous Corduct of Puritans from ths
"Hub'-The Behavior That Provoked
Reprimand from General Han |
eock-Drunkenness and Ruff
fanism Hand.in-Hand. 4
BRAVE CONDUCT OF A KeNTUCKIAN


public have manifested considerable in
terest in the conduct of the Massachu
sets militia en- route and while al
Yorktown, no newspaper having salts
fed their appetite, member Of the
South Carolina battalion, who was an
eyewitness to their behavior, has given
an accurate account to the Times CORES
pondent. When they arrived at Washs
inst, they were taken under escort OF
the National Rifles, and left for
Richmond, Virginia, about $50.
While in Washington they were
noisy and boisterous, and did not re.
ceive commentator ior good behavior.
They arrived at Richmond at A. NJ. on
Monday, the 18th inst, and there dis,
played riotous qualities. They were
the guests OF the city and received every
attention gentlemen could expect, but
acted like towards and desperadoes.
They took possession OF drays and
wagons on the streets, throwing the
drivers off, went into bar rooms, elected
the bar-keepers, and served themselves
with all the liquor they wanted. Worst
of all, they were low enough, while
Fired UP With Their Stolen Whisky,
TO throw their filthy, drunken arms
around respectable ladies on the street,
call them by the familiar name OF isis"
and kiss them. Several OF the men
were put in the lookup for their
disgraceful conduc.. Their behavior
was so offensive that, despite the fact
that they were the city's guests, the
mayor had TO give them four hours in
which to leave the city, and Governor
Cornell, of New York, rendered the
Thirteenth Brooklyn regiment, also
guests OF the city, to assist the munici.
pal authorities in electing the Massa.
chusetts rowdies. They promenaded
the streets OF Richmond in gangs, being
too cowardly to walk alone. They tore
down the magnificent decorations which
bad been erected in many parts OF the
city in nonor OF the glorious centennial
which the nation had gathered to cele-
brate. Lewd houses were their glory,
and many of them boasted on the train
to Yorktown 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 Rich.
mond abou! 10 o'clock Monday morn
ing, and throughout the journey they
INDUCED in the Filthiest Language.
When thu train reached Chichahominy
they went into store where the pro-
prietor had made special arrangements
for the accommodation OF the soldiers,
and ransacked the establishment OF the
last bit of stock that was in it. The
officers made their appearance after the
poor storekeeper had been robbed o! all
he had, aud ordered their men to the
train. At Williamsburg, the historic
location OF William and Mary College
and the scene OF many bloody conflicts
during the Revolutionary war, as well
as in "the late unpleasantness," they
again behaved outrageously, and robbed
stores OF all they wanted, or even more.
Their insults to ladies met with an un-
pected rebuke at Williamsburg. One
OF IDe MdSSdCuuoctJS ioIlOno ihou'I
ed lady on the street, when
the captain of Kentucky COM
pany, 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 assis-
tance, but the brave Kentuckian drew
his revolver and defed them advance a
step toward him. In the meantime the
Kentucky troops gathered around their
brave officer, and it was with difficulty
that a bloody conflict was prevented.
Arriving at Yorktown, they we're shun.
ned by all the troops, and at several
Northern and Southern headquarters
special orders were issued TO prohibit the
Massachusetts troops from entering the
lines under the circumstances. One
thing has been said in their favor, that
no better drilled troops were on the
ground, and it is with regret that this
report is made OF their disgraceful con-
duct.
Alter their arrival at Yorktown their
conduct was so outrageous as 20 call Tor
a severe reprimand from Gen. Hancock.
-ChicGQ0 Times.