Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-11-03
VOLUNTEERS MU7|AY
Sixth Virginia Regiment,
Colored, in Rebellion.
WANT NEGRO OFFICERS
Companies Refuse to Obey Orders Issued
by White Commanders. Michigan
and Ohio Regiments Called out
to Ouell the Disturbances
(BS Telegranh,l

CAMP POLAND. KNOXVILLE
| TENN. NOV. 2-The camp of the sixth
Virginia coiored regiment was this
morning II scene of mutiny among III.
men OF the commanu. .U
The trouble was caused by the men IN
IN several companies refusing to obey
orders issued by the nine white officers
VINO ,h We're recently assigned to
I he regiment by Governor Tyler
Of Virginia.
The officers were assigned To the vnrl-
Gus companies a few days ago. and
there has existed since that time Il feel
ing OF discomfort With some Of the
negroes, who perferrcd to be command
ed BY officers of their own race. The
feeling has grown until it has evidenced
itself this morning in positive ticclar;.-
ton against tie white officers.
The regiment was called for drill at
he usual hour and white officers AS
sumea command. To their surprise
the negroes refused To execute the
orders and when pressed for an ex-
PLANTATION it WAS announced that the
presence Of white officers WAS the cause
The officers were inclined tn the opin-
and accordingly sent their companies
out under colored lieutcnants
AT police formation the same open
disregard for orders from the white Of
tlcers was apparent. and it was lnen de-
termined to report the matter to higher
authorities. Colonel CroNton. COM
handing the regiment reported 1t to
colonel kuert. division commander
who in turn visited ...e camp With
Major General Bates who arrived in
! the camp for the first time Il few NOM
ents before the mutiny began.
1t was evident that serious trouble
was in order if the riotous negroes
We're not quteted. and. on that account,
Colonel kuert at once ordered the
'rhirty-tirst Michigan and Sixth Ohio
he inns y,t
We're under their arms. bu, the Ohio
boys were turned Dack before reaching
the camp. Colonies I<uert and CroXton
and also -,1ajor johnson, a colored Of
ilcer OF the regiment, addressed the
men. They explained that such action
was in direct Eiolatio, of the military
laws and was punishable by DEATH and
that continuance of the same would
bring the regiment into most unfortun-
ate disfavor.
They assured the men that a com
plant, If such they felt that they
rghtfully had should be forwarded to
the governor OF Virginia, and they
were assured that such a complaint
receive attention from all officers con-
cerned. Colonel Croxton stated very
cmphatically that the result of this
revolt would mean Il rigid enforcement
Of the discipline covering such cases He
dema nded obedience and said HI. had
the power to enforce the demand. The
Michigan regiment, which had appear
ed upon the scene and which was
armed for battle. was ordered back to
its camp and the negroes agreed to
send their, complaints through the
military channels and in the mean
time to obey their white officers.
1t is not believed here that the white
officers will be removed because it is
a fact that the negro officers who
proceeded them resigned on account OF
incompetency. The Virginia camp is
quiet tonight and no further trouble is
anticipated at least for the present.