Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-12-24
( 9th Va. Vol. Inf.
Camp Haskell,
Macon Ga noo IL y

u days. cut of from the outside world
and for . portion of that time even de-
prived of the privilege of buying a
newspaper or receiving our mail. the
Sixth Virginia Regiment, u. s. v. In
fRntry was released from under arrest.
Was ever ouch an indignity ever perpe-
trated upon men who were brave and
patriotic enough to offer their service
% their country when her flag had
been insulted and an attempt made TO
sally her honorl The true inv ardness
of this cowardly incarceration of more
than eight hundred of Virginia's loyal
Erns will not he known until the Sixth
Virginia is mustered out OF service and
the men and officers free to express
their opinions and tell the real cause
II the trouble in the regiment,
A QUARREL JUST.
We are confident that the people at
home know that we have our quarrel
Just, and applaud us for the stand
which we have taken, but it is to the
Dutsides world, the people beyond the
limits OF Virginia, to wnom we would
cite our grievances and siet them know
Rhat we are not the mutinous, undisci-
plined body which blindly prejudiced
press and our regimental commander
would make US appear. We feel that
the PLANET, ever champion Of human
rights ana the defender of the oppress-
ed, is the best medium to publish to
the world the facts as they really ex-
ist. To begin with, Lieutensnt-Colo-
mel Crox ton is the sole cause of all the
trouble. Not being contented with his
position and pay as a second lieuten-
ant in the regular army, at the COM
mencement of the nnpleasantness be-
tween Spain and America, he sought
promotion in the volunteer army. Be-
ing Virginian, and having been de-
tailed as military instructor ia several
OF the military academies of the State,
the surest means of ele7ation and pro-
motion lay through the Virginia ' OIL
nnteers.
AN INVALID AS coMMAKDKR.
When the President accepted the
services OF the first and SECOND battal-
ions of Virginia infshtry, Col. Oroxson
who was then on n sick bed vas placed
In charge of the partial regiment.
PeeYish, fretfM and irrascible BY ga
lure, he was more SO, upon recovery
from the sickness Immediately proceed
ing is taking command Of the regi'
ment. Knowing that be was sTl army
officer. his harshness to both men and
officers was from the first looked upon
as Sart of military discipline at first,
and Ndespite the oaths and general
Guessing" for which the officers came
~ after every regimental parade, his
viii was law, and no one dared ques-
tion it. This was sc Camp Corbin.
When we reached Knoxville, the same
thing continued, and fault, nothing but
fault was to be found, let the men do
L. kl,r,wr a e - nj
views before Gen. Breckenridge. before
General Alger and before Governor
Bushnell and staff, the Knoxville press
was unanimous in its praise OF the
marching and manoeuvering of Col.
Croxton's Sixth Virginia Regiment.
COMPLIMENTS NEVER.
But these reviews over, and the men
back in camp, no commanding officer
rode down the lines or passed through
4he company street to cheer the boys
nor commend them for their soldierly
bearing. No word of encouragement
ever came. when after a stay in Knox
vile of more than than two months,
when on the eve of their departure
the press OF the city makes espec-
tally mention of the gentlemanly SOL
dierly conduct of the Negro soldiers,
saying that not one man in the two
regiments (3rd North Carolina and 9th
Virginia) was arrested by the police
force of the city nor figured in the
courts Tor disorderiy conduct, drunk
enness or the like. With such re-
marks of approval from the white
press, after more than four months
service under colored officers, the COM
manding officer complains of the eff.
cheney of some of the officers and asks
Fc&r hno ard RI inf khas~
;pability and efficiency. Is there any
sane person, who for once believes thai
the efficiency and capability" of the
officers were a question d? No, some
one saw an opportunity to get white
staff officers and others for association
THE GAUGE OF THE TROUBLE.
Well, they are here, and what is the
result discipline, order, respect for
the commanding officer, all thrown ia
the winds OF heaveu And who Is tc
blame Not the governor of Virginia
but the Colonel of the regiment a
whose hand the Governor was deceived
Rumor has it here, that Major Lassi
ter OF Petersburg and several other
were offered (bV the commanding off
cer) positions in the regiment but the
declined saying the Negroes should b.
allowed their own officers. The write
of this article knows Major Lassiter t.
be q Virginia gentleman. Who vii
youchsafe the same for the meu VIII
accepted the positions that he and me-
OF his calibre refused? Don't a.
speak at once"
THE SOUTHERN PRESS vIRULENr.
The refusal OF the men to give quie
aequlesence into the appointments {
these white officers has turned loos
upon the regiment the flood gates {
Vituperstion OF the prejpdiced. south
arm white press. The newspaper is til
greatest agent of > free people, 70
good or for bad, AID when run By uu
principled men like the editors of som
of the Georgia papers. is calculated {
make shcol on earth. While thes
papers speak in bold face headlines :
the 'znutinous Sixth" they neve
speHk Of the knives, shears and razor
xBolen from the Sixth after they wer
fisarmed. No. for lii was done b