They Mutiny From Their Regiment-Civil War.

As a surname researcher it is my job to find as many name as possible to help you in your search for that family member. Names are easy to find, but to find good historical information that surrounds the name that’s something deferent altogether. Most family’s had a GGG-grandfather or GG-grandfather in one of the three early wars, but what event happened to put that Grandfather in the light of history? There are a number of reason he my have been a prisoner of war or did some brave deed in battle and then again he may have been in some battle at sea That’s what I look for when I look for a name. that’s why I chose this subject the ( Mutiny ) I thought I would find a lot of names, and I did but not in the way you would thank.

When I started to research this subject I found the word ( Mutiny ) was used way to freely and was used more as an expression, then it’s true meaning. I was looking for a true mutiny were one person or a group men mutiny for one reason or another and ran off. But that wasn’t the case at all, hole regiments would refuse to fight ( Mutiny) because they had not been paid and would not march to orders. There were many reason for ( Mutiny ) Lack of food, little or no ammunition as they put it “ We will not stand to be shot at with nothing in are hands.” Unless the wants and the needs of the soldiers were met they would refuse to fight or move. That’s not to say these men were not brave because they were, there was this one case of mutiny were the men fought like Hell to keep their fort from being over ran by the enemy and they all fought bravely that day, but the next day they refused to fight ( Mutiny, ) “ I guess they felt they were in no danger, for what ever reason it sure had the Commander confused.” Now this was not just happening in the Union army but it was going on in the Confederate army as will, and for the same reasons.

I did find some true ( Mutiny’s ) and have put some here. However some of the information was to long to put here, so if you see a name and would like to know more about him you can write to me at the following.
dsegelquist1@cox.net


Note. This information comes from the official records of the Rebellion which is house ot the Ohio State University.

58th. Regiment Illinois Co. K. Volunteers Infantry.

The following men mutiny from their regiment, this writer could not find out the reason for the mutiny. These men were Court martial on April 19, 1865, and dishonorably discharged. Then in the year of 1873, they had a Bill in congress asking to be reinstated, this writer could not find if the Bill passed through Congress.

1. Joseph Biggs, Sergeant, he was from Rock Island Ill., and nativity of Belgium, enlisted November 12, 1861, as a private at Rock Island Ill., for 3 years . He was 18 years and 5’6 tall Dark hair and blue eyes. He was single and worked as a farmer. He was muster in on December 31, 1861, at Camp Douglas Ill.

2. Silas B. Harrington, Corporal, he was from Rock Island, Rock Island, and a nativity of New York., enlisted December 19, 1961, as a private at Rock Island. He was 32 year and 5’8 tall Dark hair and black eyes. He was married and was a Lawyer. He was muster in on December 31, 1861, at Camp Douglas Ill.

3. Peter Hanley, Private. He was listed as being of the 58th., he did mutiny with the rest of the men and was court martial a long with the men, but no service information could be found on him.

4. Alexander Valley, Private. He was listed as being of the 58th., he did mutiny with the rest of the men and was court martial a long with the men, but no service information could be found on him.

5. Michael Murphy, Private. He was from Rock Island, Rock Island, Co. Ill., was a nativity of Ireland, enlisted October 3, 1861, as a private at Rock Island Il., for 3 years. He was 30 years and 5’7 tall Dark hair and blue eyes. He was single and worked as a laborer. He was muster in on December 31, 1861, at Camp Douglas Ill.

6. Own Cahill, Private. He was from Rock Island, Rock Island, Co. Ill., was a nativity of Ireland, enlisted October 14, 1861, as a private at Rock Island, Ill., for 3 years. He was 34 years and 5’8 tall Light hair and blue eyes he was married and worked as a laborer. He was muster in on December 31, 1861, at Camp Douglas Ill.
Note. This record states that he was muster out on December 30, 1864, by Captain Montgomery, at Springfield Ill. However the Congress records state he was court martial with the rest of the men, this name needs more research.

7. William McNech, Private. He was listed as being of the 58th., he did mutiny with the rest of the men and was court martial a long with the men, but no service information could be found on him.

8. George Wilson, Private. He was listed as being of the 58th., he did mutiny with the rest of the men and was court martial a long with the men, but no service information could be found on him.

9. Samuel O’Neal, Private. He was listed as being of the 58th., he did mutiny with the rest of the men and was court martial a long with the men, but no service information could be found on him.

10. Henry F. Errett, Private. He was from Rock Island, Rock Island Co. Ill., was a nativity of Pittsburg, Alleghany Co., Pa. He enlisted on October 10, 1861, as a Sergeant at Rock Island for 3 years. He was 21 years was 5’9 tall had Black hair and blue eyes. He was single and worked as a carpenter. He was muster in on December 31, 1861, at Camp Douglas Ill.

11. John Dunne, Private. He was listed as being of the 58th., he did mutiny with the rest of the men and was court martial a long with the men, but no service information could be found on him.

Mutiny at Bloomfield Missouri, October 22, 1863.

The cause of the mutiny.

That, under the command of Major Samuel Montgomery, the holding and continued possession of the place for any time longer was a matter fraught with serious doubts. That, judging from the recent conduct of the major commanding, he has wholly lent himself and completely gone over to those who are well known by himself to be and have been the leading traitors in and around this place ever since the commencement of the rebellion. His son, Captain R. H. Montgomery, and Dr. T. W. Johnson are all in this connection acting with him and he had married one of the two most notorious rebel women in the country, who had carried dispatches and written ballads for the rebel army, and of whom it was so currently reported that Major Montgomery must have known it, that she boasted, at a time when the enemy was supposed to be marching on the post, that she ruled it, and that although the Sixth Missouri Cavalry were holding the place now, her Southern friends soon would hold it. That knowing, as he must, of these rumors, he neither said nor did anything to remove the impression made by them on the minds soldiers and citizens.
That to save ourselves, as officers true and faithful in our allegiance to the Government, from the apparently impending disgrace and disaster, we proceed early by to-morrow's dawn to arrest Major Samuel Montgomery, commanding this post, and so hold him until our action can be reported, and further directions had thereon. The real causes leading and conducing to the proceedings had, as stated, are embodied in the accompanying charges and specifications against the said Major Samuel Montgomery, Sixth Missouri Cavalry Volunteers.

Those in involved were :

1. WILLIAM H. CROCKETT, Captain Company D, Commanding Second Battalion Sixth Missouri Cav.
2. JOHN H. PAYNTER, Captain Company A, Second Battalion Sixth Missouri Cavalry.
3. V. B. S. REBER, Lieutenant, Commanding Section Company K, Second Missouri Artillery.
4. LUTHER D. POTTER, Second Lieutenant, Commanding Company L. Sixth Missouri Cavalry.
5. E. J. BURROSS, Second Lieutenant, Commanding Company E, Sixth Missouri Cavalry.

These men know of Major Samuel Montgomery feelings towards the South before the war, and there were rumors that there was a traitor, among them and he was ready to hand over the command to the enemy. They felt it was their duty and right to take over the command even if it cost them to hold rank in the service again. They were later arrested and court martial and found guilty of all charges, and were dismissed dishonorably from the service of the United States.

Note. The information on the following mutiny is way to long to put it all down here. If you see a name and would like to know more about him you can write to me at the above address.


HEADQUARTERS FEDERAL PRISON,
Cahaba, Ala., January 23, 1865.
General J. D. IMBODEN, August, Ga.:
GENERAL: On the morning of Friday, January 20, there was a mutiny in the Federal prison under my command. The prisoners simultaneously rushed upon the interior guards, disarmed and captured them. They then placed them under guard in the water - closets. Two sentinels posted at the entrance of the main prison from the stockade succeeded in making their escape and in giving the alarm to the sentries on the ramparts and the reserve guard. A courier was dispatches to the commanding officer of the troops at the post, who promptly ordered out the battalion under arms. A piece of artillery was brought to bear upon the prisoners, and all was very soon quieted down and inquest made for the ringleaders. I issued an order stopping the rations of the prisoners until the ringleaders were announced. This had the effect of securing five witnesses, whose testimony in the main is concurrent, and led to the detection and arrest of those most prominent in the affair. The man with whom the scheme originated was one George Schellar, alias Captain Hanchett and Robert Cox. This Schellar was captured by General Forrest near Nashville, Tenn., December 3, 1864. He was disguised as a citizen and was so registered and imprisoned by the provost - marshal - general of the Army of Tennessee, and at every post where it became necessary in his transit to this place. You will see by his confession that he declares his object to have been to be speedily sent through the lines. The most probable conjecture is that he dressed himself as a citizen and put himself in position to be captured, for the purpose of obtaining information of the strength and movements of the Confederate forces.

After the defeat of the mutiny I made a demand upon his company in the prison for him, but could get no satisfaction. I then stationed his messmates along a line and passed all the prisoners, requiring them to identify and point him out as he passed. I did not succeed. I then took the prisoners that I had arrested and placed them on my right. Among these was one of the informers who knew him. I instructed him to put his foot upon mine as he approached. I then again passed the prisoners through a guard at open ranks, and by the strategy indicated above I succeeded in arresting him. He was very much excited, and when I addressed him by his alias he confessed that he was not George Schellar, but Captain Hanchett, of Company M, Sixteenth Illinois Cavalry, and at the time of his capture acting assistant adjutant - general on Colonel Capron's staff, commanding a brigade. The prisoners has shaved off his moustache and whiskers, changed his clothes, and otherwise tried to disguise himself. This he did to avoid detection. The investigation was conducted by several officers and myself before the commandant of the post, and from the testimony and his own confession, &c., in undoubtedly the ringleader of the mutiny and a most unmitigated scoundrel. All of uss who were present at this investigation are thoroughly convicted, not only of his guilty leadership in this mutiny, but that he is an exceedingly dangerous and bad man. The colonel commanding post is thoroughly of the opinion that hiss mission among us was that of a spy. Hence he was securely ironed and with seven of hiss confederates confined in a dungeon in the county jail. By reading the inclosed transcript of the testimony elicited in the investigation you will be able to form a pretty correct opinion of the history of this transaction and the degree of guilt which attaches to each particular individual under arrest. During the excitement not a single prisoner effected his escape. The question which I desire answered is: What course is it proper to pursue with the chiefs of this mutiny and those who were leagued with them? Having no statute, regulation, or precedent to govern us, we are at a loss to know what courses to adopt, and I most respectfully ask the instructions of the general commanding.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. A. M. HENDERSON,

Those involved in the Mutiny & Witness.

1. George Schellar, alias Captain Hanchett-Arrested.
2. Private Robert Cox, Company G, One hundred and fifteenth Ohio-Arrested.
3. Francis M. Prim, M, Nineteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry-Witness.
4. Private John W. Lightbody, Company D, Eighteenth Ohio infantry-Arrested.
5. Private George [W.] Salter, D, Third Iowa Cavalry-Witness.
6. Citizen Jacob E. Lachler-Witness.
7. Citizen E. McCullough-Witness.
8. Citizen E. Baker, New York, -Witness.
9. George W. Riley, corporal, Twenty-seventh Illinois Infantry-Arrested.
10. Private G. Hammarberg, H, Ninth Minnesota Infantry-Arrested.
11. Private George Sherman, Fourth Michigan Cavalry-Arrested.
12. Private Thompson Hanson, E, Ninth Ohio Cavalry-Arrested.
13. Martin A. Becker, Company D, Thirteenth Wisconsin Infantry-Arrested.
14. James Morrison, Company G, Nineteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry-Arrested.
15. Osmond F. Foster, I, Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry-Arrested.
16. George H. Hoff, F, One hundred and fourteenth Illinois Infantry-Arrested.
17. Doctor Whitfield-Witness.
18. Patrick Ponsonby, G, Thirteenth Illinois Infantry-Arrested.
19. George Stoneman-Witness.

Note. Here is the findings.

HDQRS. C. S. MIL., PRISONS WEST OF SAVANNAH RIVER,
Respectfully forwarded for information of and instructions from Honorable Secretary of War. I have approved the course of Captain Henderson in ironing and confining these mutineers, but under order of the Adjutant and Inspector General of date January 24, 1865, they have been ordered to be released, except Captain Hanchett, in whose case I have ordered a trial on the charge of being a spy, the result of which will be communicated to the War Department as soon as ascertained.
J. D. IMBODEN,
Brigadier - General, Commanding.

Note. In consequence of a recent mutiny and attempted escape of prisoners from the military prison at Cahaba, Ala., it is ordered that if any prisoners of war confined in any of the military prisons in the State of Georgia, Alabama, or Mississippi shall engage in any mutiny or attempt by force to escape, the guard shall instantly be fire upon the mutineers and, if necessary, upon the whole body of prisoners his bands at the time of any mutiny or forcible attempt to escape shall be instantly shot to death; and this penalty will in no case be remitted where such armed prisoners if overpowered by or surrendered to the guard on the suppression of a mutiny.

Second Regiment of Maine Volunteers.

HEADQUARTERS DIVISION OF THE POTOMAC,
Washington, August 14, 1861.
Lieutenant General WINFIELD SCOTT, Commanding U. S. Army:
GENERAL: I am informed by Brigadier-General McDowell that 62 non-commissioned officers and privates of the Second Regiment of Maine Volunteers have formally and positively, and in the presence of their regiment, refused to do any further duty whatever, falsely alleging that they are no longer in the service of the United States. I concur in the suggestion of General McDowell that this combined subordination, if not open mutiny, should be immediately repressed; and I approve of his recommendation that the insubordinate soldiers should be immediately transferred in arrest and without arms to the Dry Tortugas, there to perform such fatigue service as the commanding officer there may assign to them, until they shall by their future conduct who themselves worthy to bear arms.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. B. MCCLELLAN,
Major-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS DIVISION OF THE POTOMAC,
Washington, D. C., August 14, 1861.
Brigadier General ANDREW PORTER,
Provost-Marshal, &c., Washington, D. C.:
GENERAL: The brigade commander of the Seventy-ninth Regiment New York Volunteers having reported that the regiment is in a state of open mutiny, Major-General McClellan directs that you proceed with a battery, the two companies of the Second Cavalry, at the Park Hotel, and as many companies of regular infantry as you may deem proper, to the encampment of that regiment. On your arrival there you will order such as are willing to move to march out of the camp, leaving the disaffected portion of the regiment by themselves. You will then order the latter portion to lay down their arms, and will put them under a strong guard. The ringleaders you will put in double irons.
You are authorized, if necessary, to use force to accomplish the object. Report the result as soon as possible.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. V. COLBURN,