Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-11-19
RESIGNED THErR o)MnIssIoNs.

ment at Camp Poland, Knoxville,
Tenn. was brought about by ths most
heroic stand ever taken by any colored
regiment.
In stating their reasons, Capt. SID
NEY 7. MOORE and Capt GEORGE III
BENTLEY declared that the colored
men made it decidedly unpleasant for
them. To such an extent was this
true that they found that almost any
other place on the continent would ne
agreeable than to eat, sleep and drink
in the midst of those Virginia colored
folks.
The DISPATCH correspondent in Civ
ing their version OF the affair said:
"rhe captains say they found their
positions very unpleasant. The enlist
heers OF their own color were not ap
pointed.
"The officers among the Negroes do
not like it that whites were commits
stoned. The white officers do not like
1t that the ranking msjor OF the regi-
ment is Negro. They have to salute
him whenever they meet him. At
least one of the colored captains is the
senior Of all the white captains. So it
will be readily understood that q white
officers life in the Sixth is not all that
could be desired"
And again:
1T is not known whether the Secre-
tary OF War will accept the resigna-
tious OF the officers named. It is pre-
Cd kAa< H. Il u :
stood that Lieutenant Colonel Crox ton
has recommended or will recommend,
that they be accepted"
The following is rich reading:
There seems to be at Camp Polsnd
at present state of affairs both unique
and amusing To describe it properly
one needs TO look back. When The
eight colored companies from Virginia
were mustered into service Governor
Tyler decided that under the law he
was obliged 90 commission the colored
officers. He did so. After an expert
ence of four or five months with these
officers of color, Lieutenant Colonel
Croxton decided that there were very
fe Of them competent to discharge
their duties. So he had an examining
board appointed by the War Depart
ment for the purpose of Investigating
into the efficiency of his officers Nine
designations came In a hurry and nine
colored men were soon back on old
Virginia soil, minus the brass and blue
OF their Uncle Samuel.
Is was expected that the Governor
would promote colored men to the po-
sislons made vacant by the Negroes
afraid OF examination. He announced
this intention TO aforementioned
Croxton The latter replied at once
that there was nobody in line OF pro-
motion fis to wear shoulder straps.
THE Governor knew there were Off
GERS in the Second AMI Third Virginia
who were com petent to command. He
intimated several days before he made
the appointments that he would COM
mission white officers.
1T Is believed that less than loo
white officers applied for the positions
The Governor has never stated how
many. He made eight appointments
A vacant captaincy remains untitled.
The following describes the scene:
"There was mutiny and almost riot
among the enlisted men when the
white officers arrived, and undertook
TO assume command, 1t was reported
with some reason, hoped to be promoJ-
ed to succeed their superiors who re-
signcd,. fomented the trouble. The
non-coms deny this, AID it may have
been incorrect. There was q hot time
in the camp of the Sixth that day. Two
regiments were ordered 90 quell the
mutiny. They were sent back, and
several field Off .ers, including Lieu
tenant Colonel Croxton. made speeches
TO the men instead. Peace was re-
stored. More properly speal ing, the
terms of protocol were agreed to.
LieGtenant-C Colonel Croxton said he
would forward to Governor Tyler a
memorial from the men, in which they
could express their grievances.
Governor Tyler has been looking for
such a memorial for days now. Ii is
one of those letters that never came"
This is an sckr owledgement that
Lieutsnant-Colonel CRoxroN is any
thing but gentleman OF honor. be-
said:
"It is now stated that Lieutenant
Colonel Croxton has asked his white
officers to resign. He made an excep-
ton of Major Cabel This report is
not officially confirmed. 1t is general
day or two. recommended a colored
man for appointment to the vacant
captain cy."
The amusing part of it followed:
Governor Tyler will not appoint the
Negro. The Governor does not under
stand the recommendation of the Ne
gro coming from Colonel Croxton, at
ter report from him that there was
none capable of making an officer"
The Governor is not going to hest
tate to do his duty. The correspond
ent concluded:
Summed up the situation seems to
be:
1. The Negroes want the white Of
fieers to leave.
?. Lieut.-Colonel Croxton wants
them to leave.
g.. They, or at least q portion of
them, want to leave.
1t is predicted that unless the affairs
of the Sixth are speedily adjusted, the
Aon h. I'll