The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-11-08
NEGRO REGIMENT MUTINIES
The Sixth Virginia Refuses TO Obey tn
White Officers Recently Assigned

Camp Poland, Knoxville, Tenn, No
| vember 1.-The camp Of the Sixth Vir-
| ginia colored regiment this morning
was the scene Of a mutfny among the
| men Of the command. The trouble was
| caused by the men in several cOmpa-
MES refusing to obey orders issued by
the nine white officers who were re-
Gently assigned to the regiment by
Governor Tyler, of Virginia. The Of
ficers were assigned to the various
companies a few days g and there
has existed during that time a feel
ing of d~iScOntent with some of the
negroes, who preferred to be command
ed by officers of their own race. The
feeling has grown until it evidenced
itself this morning in a positive decla-
ration against the white officers. The
regiment vas called for drill at the
usual hOur and the white officers as
sumed command. To their surprise
the negroes refused to execute orders
and when pressed for an explanation
it was announced that the presence Of
white officers was the cause. The Of
ficerS were inclined to the opinion that
it was a mOmentary complaint, and,
accordingly, sent their companies out
under colOred l~ieutenants.
At police formation the same open
disregard for orders from the white
officers was apparent and it was then
determined to report the matter to
higher authorities. Col. GrOKtOn,
commanding the regiment, reported it
to Colonel Kuert, division commander,
who in turn visited the camp with
Major General Bates, who arrived in
the camp for the first time a few mo-
ments before the mutiny begun.
If was evident that SpriOuS trouble
was in order if the riOtOuS negroes
were not quoted n on that account
Colonel Kuert at once ordered the
T~hirty-first Michigan and Sixth Ohio
regiments to the scene. These regi-
ments went under arms, but the Ohio
boys were turned back before reaching
the camp.
Colonies Kuert and Groxton and also
Major Johnson. a colored officer of the
regiment, addressed the men. They
explained such action was in direct
violation of the military laws and was
punishable by death and that a con-
tinuance of the same would bring the
regiment into most unfortunate dis
favor. They assured the men that a
complaint, if such they felt that they
rightfully had, should be forwarded
to the governor of Virginia and they
were assured that such a complaint
sent through the roper channels
would receive attention from all Off
GERS.
Colonel GrOxtOn stated very emphati-
cally hat the result of this revolt
would mean a rigid enforcement of
the discipline covering such cases. He
demanded obedience and sale he had
the power to enforce the demand.
The Michigan regiment which had
appeared upon the scene n 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 meantime to obey their white Of
ticerS.
1t is not believed here that the white
officers will be removed because it is
a fact that the egr officers who pre-
coded them resigned on account Of in
competency. The Virginia camp is
quiet tonight and no further trouble
is anticipated at least for the present.