The Fort Jackson Emeute.
--The first report of this affair were exaggerated beyond the usual exaggerations which come from the
Mississippi.--But there was something in it, although of no great consequence to any one.
The last that we have seen of it in the
Northern papers is given as follows in a letter from New Orleans, dated 12th ult., to the Boston
Courier:
Our military authorities have just had a foretastes of the wisdom in trusting important military posts to colored troops, by a revolt at
Fort Jackson which the newspapers in this department, " by authority," will inform you was "only an altercate a between an officer and some of the men; and soon quieted." I have my information from the lips of the officer in command of that post, the garrison of which consisted of five hundred colored soldiers and officers, and twenty white men, (though some of the colored men are as white as some of their white (officers) and so serious had become the revolt that the officers themselves declared that had they attempted to exercise any authority over their command, every white man would have been gilled, and the negroes have been in possession of the
Forts which cost the United States Government so much of life and treasure, and so many months delay to get into our hands.
It has been decided that this regiment of "colored men must be mustered out of the service," in consequence of this situation between an officer and some of the men.
The New York
Times has an account of the mutiny at
Fort Jackson.
It grew out of
Col. Benedict's asking ten negroes coming in from beyond the lines their authority for leaving.
They answered insolently, and be, seizing a whip, commenced lashing them, and a revolt ensued.
One hundred negroes seized loaded guns and fired on the
Union troops wildly, most of the shots ranging too high.
No one is reported hurt.
The rioters held possession of the camp all day and night.
The next day moral force prevailed.
The ringleaders were arrested and tried by court-martial.
The writer attaches the blame to
Adjutant-General Thomas, whose indiscreet speeches gave the negroes an exalted idea of their position.
An
Ohio regiment has been ordered to camp near the fort, to provide against a recurrence of revolt.
