Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-11-03
REBELLIOUS SOLDIERS.
Negro Regimen, Refuses 10 Participate IN
Drill.
PRESENCE or WHITE OFFICERS THE CAUSE
Jhirty-hr-t Michigan aud sixth ohio Regi-
ments Proceed to the scene OF Revolt
Armed for Rattle.

Camp Poland. Knoxville. Tenn, Nov.
2.-The camp Of the sixth virginia
regiment. coiored. was this morning
the scene OF mutiny among the men
Of that command. The men In several
companies refused to obey commands
or orders issued by the nine white Of
ncers who were recently assigned 10
the regiment by Governor Tyler OF
Virginia.
The officers assumed command Of the
various companies few days ago, and
there has existed during that time n
feeling " discomfort among some Of
the negroes, who preferred 10 be COM
mandcd by officers of their own race.
The feeling has grown until II ovi-
denccd itself this morning In a positive
declaration against the white officers.
The regiment WIS called for drlll Mt
the usual hour. and the white oiiiccra
assumed command. To their surprise
aud Indignation. the ncgrJos refused 60
execute the drills, and when pressed Tor
an explanation II was announced that
the presence Of white officers was the
cause. The officers were inclined to
the opinion that Il was momcntary
complaint. and accordingly sent their
companies out under colored icutcn-
ants,
At police formation the same open
disregard for orders from the white Of
nccrs was apparent. and II was thcn
determined to report the matter 20
higher authorities. Col. CrDNtun. CONF
manding the regiment, reported II to
col. Kucrt, division commander who In
turn visited the camp with Mai. Gen.
John Bates. who arrived In the camp
for the first time a few moments be-
fore the mutIny began.
II was evident that serious trouble
was In order II the riotoua negroes
were not quoted. and on that account
Col. Nuort nt once ordered the Thirty
first Michigan and sixth ohio rcsi-
mcnta to the Hconc These regiments
were under arms, but the ohio boys
were turned back before reaching the
Virginia camp.
Coils Kucrt and Croxton and also
Mai. johnson. "a colored officer VI tho
regiment. addressed the men. They
explained that such action was In d.
rect violation u the military laws and
was punishable by death. and that "a
continuance of the same would bring
the regiment into most unfortunate
dlsfavur. Thcy assured the men that
a complaint, " such thcy fclt that thoy
rightfully had, should be forwarded to
the poycrnnr 81 virginia. and they
were assured that such complaint
sent through the proper channels
would receive attention from all officers
concerned
Col CroNton stated very cmphatlcaily
that continuance OF this revolt would
mean rigid enforcement Of the d..
ciplinc covering such cases. and said
he demanded obedience and had the
power 60 enforce the demand.
The Michigan regiment. which had
appeared upon the scene In double
time. and which was armed for battle
was ordered back % ita camp and the
ncgrocs agreed o. send their complaints
IN through the military channels. and
In the meantime g. obey their white
officers II IN not believed hero that
the white officers will be removed. be-
cause Il u fact that the negro Of
hecrn who proceeded them resigned on
account OF lncumpvtency. The virginia
camp ~ quiet tonight. and no further
trouble Ia anticipated. at least for Tho
present.