Fort Jackson, one of two forts guarding the Mississippi route to New Orleans, seemed to have a predilection for mutinies during the Civil War. In 1862 the Confederate garrison mutinied after it was placed under siege by the Union. On December 9, 1863 a mutiny occurred by the black troops of the Fourth Regiment Infantry of the Corp d’Afrique, caused by the brutal whipping of two drummer boys by Lieutenant Colonel Augustus W. Benedict, who had engaged in ill treatment of his men prior to this incident. About half the regiment mutinied. No one was killed, but the disturbance lasted from the afternoon until 7:30 PM. In the aftermath a military commission was appointed to investigate the mutiny, and punish the guilty. Benedict was cashiered from the service. The ringleaders of the mutiny were sentenced to punishments ranging from 30 days confinement to execution. Go here to read an account of the mutiny which occurred in the New York Times. Here is the report of the commission:
ON BOARD STEAMER SUFFOLK,
Mississippi River, December 13, 1863.
The commission met pursuant to adjournment. Present, all the members. The examination of the witnesses was then closed.
The commission, having maturely considered the evidence adduced, finds and reports as follows:
1. As regards the cause of the disturbance at Fort Jackson on the 9th instant, the commission finds that the immediate cause of the disturbance was the whipping with a rawhide, or cart-whip, on the afternoon of the 9th instant, by Lieutenant-Colonel Benedict, Fourth Regiment Infantry, Corp d’Afrique, of two drummer boys belonging to that regiment, aggravated by his previous conduct toward the men of the regiment, and the severe punishments to which he had been in the habit of resorting.
2. As to the course and termination of the troubles, the commission finds that the disturbance began about an hour after the whipping of the music boys referred to, by about half of the regiment rushing upon the parade with their arms, shouting, and discharging their pieces into the air. The shouting and threatening language used was directed against Lieutenant-Colonel Benedict. One man proposed to “kill all the damned Yankees.” Part of the men rushed to the guard-house, forced the guard, and released the prisoners confined there. Others rushed toward the levee, discharging their pieces, probably under the impression that Lieutenant-Colonel Benedict was on board the Suffolk, lying at the levee, or would try to get there. The commission does not find that the shots fired were fired at any person, but that they were fired into the air, although a number of them took effect upon the quarters of the officers. The disturbance was not premeditated, but was a sudden outbreak, and was quelled by the officers going amongst the men, and pacifying them by assurances that justice should be done them. It lasted until about 7.30, when the last shows were fired. Soon after, tattoo was beaten, and the men retired to their quarters.
3. As to the conduct of the commanding officer and other officers, the commission finds that Colonel Drew, commanding the post, went on the parade as soon as he knew of the disturbance, and attempted to quiet the men by telling them that Lieutenant-Colonel Benedict had done wrong, but that they were doing a greater wrong, and that, if they would go to their quarters, justice should be done them. The other officers, with the exception of Major Nye, Fourth Infantry, Corps d’Afrique, behaved in a similar manner. Major Nye was not on the parade, and his absence has not been satisfactory accounted for. Soon after the disturbance commenced, Lieutenant-Colonel Benedict was ordered by Colonel Drew to his quarters, and remained there and in the quarters of the other officers until the next morning, when he was sent to New Orleans. All the witnesses express a belief that an attempt to quiet the disturbance by force would have resulted fatally to the officers, and, upon the evidence, the commission is of opinion that the means resorted to were, perhaps, the best that could have been adopted under the circumstances, although leaving the troops under the ill-effects of such temporizing measures.
4. As to the conduct of the men, the commission finds that about half the regiment took part in the disturbance, and that the other half, though not taking part, showed no disposition to assist in quelling the outbreak. The commission is of opinion that the conduct of the men was more owing to an ignorance of their rights and the proper means of redress than to any preconcerted plan of revolt.
The commission then adjourned to meet to-morrow morning at 10 a.m.
F. J. HERRON,
Major-General of Volunteers, President of Military Commission.
G. NORMAN LIEBER,
Major and Judge-Advocate.
NEW ORLEANS,
December 14, 1863-10 a.m.
The commission met pursuant to adjournment.
Present, all the members.
The proceedings of the previous day were then read and approved, and, there being no further business before the commission, it adjourned sine die.
F. J. HERRON,
Major-General of Volunteers, President of Commission.
HORACE BINNEY SERGEANT,
Colonel, and Acting Aide-de-Camp.
STEPHEN HOYT,
Captain, and Commissary of Subsistence.
G. NORMAN LIEBER,
Major, and Judge-Advocate.
ADDENDA.
GENERAL ORDERS, HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,
No. 90. New Orleans, December 30, 1863.
I. Before a general court-martial, convened at Fort Jackson, Louisiana, pursuant to Special Orders, Nos.315, 316, and 317, of December 17,18 and 19, and reconvened pursuant to Special Orders, No. 326, of December 30, current series, from these headquarters, and of which Colonel F. S. Rutherford, Ninety-seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteers, is president, were arraigned and tried:
1. Musician Edward S. Smith, Company B, Fourth Infantry, Corps d’Afrique.
CHARGE.-Mutiny.
PLEA.-“Not guilty.”
FINDING.-“Guilty.”
And the court does, therefore, sentence him “to be imprisoned at hard labor for one year on such permanent fortification as the commanding general may direct.”
2. Private Frank Williams, Company I, Fourth Infantry, Coprs d’Afrique.
CHARGE.-Mutiny.
PLEA.-“Not guilty.”
FINDING.-“Guilty.”
And the court does, therefore, sentence him, Frank Williams, private Company I, Fourth Infantry, Corps d’Afrique, “to be shot to death
with musketry, at such time and place as the commanding general may direct,” it appearing, upon the reconvening of the court, that two-thirds of the members concurred therein.
3. Corpl. Lewis Cady, Company K, Fourth Infantry, Corps d’Afrique.
CHARGE.-Mutiny.
PEAL.-“Not guilty.”
FINDING.-“Guilty.”
And the court does, therefore, sentence him, Corpl. Lewis Cady, Company K, Fourth Infantry, Corps d’Afrique, “to be imprisoned for the term of two years, at hard labor, on such permanent Government fortification as the commanding general may direct, and to forfeit all pay and allowances, except for prison food and clothing.”
4. Corpl. Henry Green, Company G, Fourth Infantry, Corps d’Afrique.
CHARGE.-Mutiny.
PEAL.-“Not guilty.”
FINDING.-“Guilty.”
And the court does, therefore, acquit him, Corpl. Henry Green, Company G, Fourth Infantry, Corps d’Afrique.
5. Private Jacob Kennedy, Company D, Fourth Infantry, Corps d’Afrique.
CHARGE.-Mutiny.
PEAL.-“Not guilty.”
FINDING.-“Guilty.”
And the court does, therefore, acquit him, Private Jacob Kennedy, Company D, Fourth Infantry, Corps d’Afrique.
6. Private Charles Taylor, Company K, Fourth Infantry, Corps d’Afrique.
CHARGE.-Mutiny.
PLEA.-“Not guilty.”
FINDING.-“Guilty.”
And the court does, therefore, sentence him, Private Charles Taylor, Company K, Fourth Infantry, Corps d’Afrique, “to be imprisoned at hard labor for the term of ten years, on such permanent Government fortification as the commanding general may direct.”
7. Private Abraham Victoria, Company D, Fourth Infantry, Corps d’Afrique.
CHARGE.-Mutiny.
PLEA.-“Not guilty.”
FINDING.-“Guilty.”
And the court does, therefore, sentence him, Private Abraham Victoria, Company D, Fourth Infantry, Corps d’Afrique, “to be shot to death with musketry, at such time and place as the commanding general may direct,” it appearing, upon the reconvening of the court, that two-thirds of the members concurred therein.
8. Private Abram Singleton, Company F, Fourth Infantry, Corps d’Afrique.
CHARGE.-Mutiny.
PLEA.-“Not guilty.”
FINDING.-“Guilty.”
And the court does, therefore, sentence him, Private Abram Singleton, Company F, Fourth Infantry, Corps d’Afrique, “to be imprisoned at hard labor, for the term of ten years, on such Government fortification as the commanding general may direct, and to forfeit all pay and allowances, except for prison food and clothing.”
9. Private Volser Verrett, Company D, Fourth Infantry, Corps d’Afrique.
CHARGE.-Mutiny.
PLEA.-“Not guilty.”
FINDING.-“Guilty.”
And the court does, therefore, acquit him.
10. Private Willis Curtis, Company D, Fourth Infantry, Corps d’Afrique.
CHARGE.-Mutiny.
PLEA.-“Not guilty.”
FINDING.-“Guilty.”
And the court does, therefore, sentence him, Private Willis Curtis, Company D, Fourth Infantry, Corps d’Afrique, “to be imprisoned at hard labor, for the term of three years, on such permanent fortification as the commanding general may direct, and to forfeit all pay and allowances, except for prison food and clothing.”
11. Private Julius Boudro, Company D, Fourth Infantry, Corps d’Afrique.
CHARGE.-Mutiny.
PLEA.-“Not guilty.”
FINDING.-“Guilty.”
And the court does, therefore, sentence him, Private Julius Boudro, Company D, Fourth Infantry, Corps d’Afrique, “to be imprisoned at hard labor, for the term of twenty years, on such permanent fortification as the commanding general may direct, and to forfeit all pay and allowance except for prison food and clothing.”
12. Private James H. Moore, No. 2, Company F, Fourth Infantry, Corps d’Afrique.
CHARGE.-Insubordinate conduct, to the prejudice of good order and
military discipline.
PLEA.-“Not guilty.”
FINDING.-“Guilty.”
And the court does, therefore, sentence him, Private James H. Moore, No. 2, Company F, Fourth Infantry, Corps d’Afrique, “to hard labor for one month under guard.”
13. Private James Hagan, Company B, Fourth Infantry, Corps d’Afrique.
CHARGE.-Mutiny.
PLEA.-“Not guilty.”
FINDING.-“Not guilty.”
And the court does, therefore, acquit him, Private James Hagan, Company B, Fourth Infantry, Corps d’Afrique.
14. Lieutenant Colonel Augustus W. Benedict, Fourth Infantry, Corps d’Afrique.
CHARGE.-Inflicting cruel and unusual punishment, to the prejudice of good and military discipline.
PLEA.-“Not guilty.”
FINDING.-“Guilty.”
And the court does, therefore, sentence him, Lieutenant Colonel Augustus W. Benedict, Fourth Infantry, Corps d’Afrique, “to be dismissed the service.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
IV. The proceedings, findings, and sentences in the cases of Musician Edward B. Smith, Company B; Corporal Lewis Cady, Company K; Privates Charles Taylor, Company K; Abram Singleton, Company F; Willis Curtis, Company D, and Julius Boudro, Company D, Fourth Infantry, Corps d’Afrique, are approved. The sentences will be carried into execution at Fort Jefferson, Fla. The provost-marshal-general, Department of the Gulf, is charged with their execution.
The proceedings, findings, and sentences in the cases of Private Frank Williams, Company I, Fourth Infantry, Corps d’Afrique, and Private Abraham Victoria, Company D, Fourth Infantry, Corps d’Afrique, are approved; but the execution of the sentences is suspended until further orders, and they will be turned over to the provost-marshal-general, Department of the Gulf, to be sent to Fort Jefferson, Fla., there to be kept in close confinement.
The proceedings and findings in the cases of Corporal Henry Green, Company G; Private Jacob Kennedy, Company D; Private Volser Verrett, Company D, and Private James Hagan, Company B, all of the Fourth Regiment of Infantry, Corps d’Afrique, are approved. They will be released from confinement, and returned to duty.
In the case of Private James H. Moore, No. 2, Company F, Fourth Infantry, Corps d’Afrique, the proceedings are disapproved, the evidence being conflicting and unsatisfactory. He will be released from confinement, and returned to duty.
In the case of Lieutenant Colonel Augustus W. Benedict, the proceedings, findings, and sentence are confirmed. He ceased from this date to be an officer in the military service of the United States.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
V. The general court-martial of which Colonel F. S. Rutherford, Ninety-seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteers, is president, is dissolved.
By command of Major-General Banks:
G. NORMAN LIEBER,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
Donald R. McClarey
Paul Zummo
Almost Chosen People 