Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-31
VANDALISM on THE MICHIGAN.
RCpOrt of Mutinous Conduct on Part
of Illinois Troops.

SAVANNAH. GA, December S0-Cap-
! tain Charles Y. Baker. assistant quarter
master, in charge OF the transport Michi-
| gan, which arrived here to-day, sent 10
Washington tonight an official report, in
which the Second Illinois Regiment, which
the Michigan carried to Cuba on her last
trip, was charged with mutinous conduct
and il was stated that Colonel Hotchkiss,
In command OF the regiment, had to be
! threatened with a report to the COM
handing major-general. 1t is minated
In the report that an Investigation and
possibly court-martial win be demanded.
Previous to the sailing Of the Michigan
1t had been reported that the ship was in
bad condition. This Captain Baker denies.
lie asserts that she was in good shape.
ana IN support Of this he transmits let
Ter TO that effect from a number Of we'll
known army officers. including Major
richard Henry Savage 0he novelist. Of
The Second Engineers. Captain Baker
says:
The two battalions came aboard eigh-
teen hours before we left port. and du-
ring that time the widest confusion pre-
vailed No one assumed to be in COM
mand.
DISORDER GENERALLY.
Shouting, yelling, hurrahing, and dis
order generally continued throughout the
entire time the animals were being load
ed There were a number OF accidents,
and 1t is only a wonder that several Of
the horses were not thrown from the
gangway and killed. The regulations
provide that no smoking will be per-
1..sfx
be permitted in the lfe-boats. These
regulations were not complied with. and
no effort was made to enforce them.
"On the first inspection" says Captain
Baker, I'VE found fifteen or more Of the
men smoking between decks"
The captain in command Of the trsns-
port complained Of the action Of the
soldiers 10 the quartermaster ana he
notified Colonel Hotchkiss that tie SOL
diers must quit their mutinous conduct.
or report would be made 10 the major
general commanding.
THE SHIP ENDANGERED.
"The vandalism they are prac.i1ing."
wrote Captain Baker to Colonel Hotch-
kiss AT the instance OF the captain Of
the ship seriously endangers the safety
OF the vessel"
1t transpires that the Michigan was
without adequate fire apparatus. Had a
confiagration at sea occurred from the
smoking between decks the consequences
would probably have been serious. Not
withstanding his remonstrance 20 the
colonel commanding, the mutinous con-
duct of the men continued. Captain
Bakers report says:
with a thorough knowledge Of their
danger, the men of the Second Illinois
refused 70 obey any order issued against
smoking between decks. In the troops
quarters the electric lamps were smashed. |
TO afford the men amusement This van
dalism was practiced 10 such an extent
that the chief engineer found that il was
impossible 10 supply the necessary light |
l-lfe-preservers were torn down and scat
tered throughout the snip. one night
about o'clock the man on the bridge
was ruthlessly hurled from his watch by
soldiers. The chief officer went forward |
and by main force compelled the soldiers !
10 dlsperse. There was no such thing as |
Keeping the men from he hatchwavs |
until one fell and came near heing killed - |