Maryland,
Camp Causten, Aug. 17th, 1861.
My dear Mother:
This has been a busy and painful week for the officers of
the Highland Regiment. You have seen various accounts of our troubles in the
papers, but they contain nothing authentic, although perhaps about as much as
an outsider can understand. The mutiny of Thursday is only the legacy of a
quarrel begun among the officers before the Regiment left for the seat of war.
The quarrel ended after the battle of Bull Run, in the resignation of several
of the officers whose ambition was disappointed as to governing the affairs of
the Regiment. Not content with withdrawing their services, these men resolved
to undermine the Regiment itself. Their plans were well laid. In an underhand
way they conveyed papers among the men purporting that, as State Militia they
were entitled to return home at the expiration of three months service, but
that an effort would be made to detain them for the war. By going home, it was
represented the men would receive a grand ovation, would meet their families,
and be enabled to tell their tale of the Bull Run battle. Those who had had
enough of fighting could resume their old employments, while the greater part
who were ready to re-enlist for the war, would be entitled to the re-enlistment
bounty of $30. A Government which would give $30 bounty for re-enlisted three
month soldiers must place a high value upon them. “Now,” the men were told, “a
secret plan has been formed to prevent your return home at all. Lieut.-Col.
Elliott has received from Government $10,000.00 to sell you all for the war,
and to cheat you of your rights and privileges.”Some little things occurred,
which as far as the men were concerned, seemed corroborative of these
statements, viz: — An order which had been issued by the Secretary of War for
us to return to NewYork to recruit, was recalled as inexpedient on the day the
three-month service of our men expired. This was sufficient for them. They
believed they had been sold; and the train which had been carefully laid,
exploded upon our being ordered, not into the boat for home, but onto the road
into Maryland. Since the battle, owing to the loss through resignations or
deaths, of our Colonel, Major and 9 of the 10 Captains, besides that of many of
the Lieutenants, we were left in a condition peculiarly unfavorable to
discipline; and this much is to be said that the companies of Captain Ellis (my
own) and that of Captain Elliott, which were provided with officers, obeyed
their orders, and refused to join the mutineers. The mutiny commenced in the
morning by the men's refusing to strike their tents as commanded. They were to
have been struck at 5 a.m. and the Regiment was to move at 6 o'clock. Col.
Stevens repeated the orders, but they were still silently and sullenly
neglected. He then went among the men and used all his powers of persuasion,
but they had been told that they had the law on their side, and if they only
persevered, they would be able to return home as a militia regiment. Col.
Stevens next went to each company singly and read the articles of war,
appending to them such remarks as would enforce in the men the danger of their
course; but by this time, the camp, left without sentry, became exposed to the
whiskey dealers who made good use of their opportunities. Soon a scene of the
wildest confusion took place. The soldiers, throwing off all authority,
presented the hideous and disgusting spectacle of a debauched and drunken
Helotry. It was a time trying to one's nerves — more trying far than the
musketry or cannonading of Bull Run. The Colonel ordered the officers to strike
the tents themselves. This we did amid the jeers, the taunts, and the insults
of an infuriated mob. One man brought me his gun, cocked it, showed me it was
capped, and reminded me it was intended for one officer at least to die, should
our release be attempted. Still we worked quietly on, obeying our orders. Some of
the Lieutenants were allowed to take down the tents undisturbed, but on leaving
them a moment, they were again pitched by the men. Everywhere we were
threatened, and it became equally necessary to show neither fear of the men,
nor, on the other hand, to allow ourselves any act of violence which would
precipitate bloodshed. Luckily for us, when the men were most maddened by
drink, an old country quarrel broke out among them, viz: — the feud between the
Orangemen and the Ribandmen, which we only know of through English novels, and
history. We were not, however, altogether forgotten. Names neither poetical,
decent, or complimentary were freely bestowed upon us. Finally afternoon
advanced, and nothing was gained. The Colonel called on the men for the last time
to render obedience. Soberness and reflection had begun their work upon a few.
These fell into their places, and were stationed around the Camp as a guard
over the others. Still, though thus yielding, their sympathies were either
extended to their mutinous comrades, or else they were too fearful to render
much assistance. It was necessary for the officers to be everywhere, and I
confess I was quite exhausted when a body of cavalry and a line of infantry
appeared, coming toward us. This was a great relief. The mutineers, all
unconscious, were surrounded, and, when it was too late to resist, obeyed the
orders issued, a death penalty being promised to those who wavered. You have
seen in the papers the punishment awarded to the Regiment — the taking of our colors
and the disgrace from which we are suffering.
Dear Mother, I feel heartsick and much depressed. I begin to
repent bitterly of having cast my lot with a foreign Regiment. Our men have not
the feelings of Americans, and cannot, when a reverse comes, be inspired to
renewed efforts by enthusiasm for the cause. I am eager for another battle in
order that we may have an opportunity to regain our colors, yet dread to risk
it now that our men are much demoralized. I wish old Connecticut had a place
for me.
Col. Stevens, who is an able man, thinks though, in less
than a month he can make us once more the finest Regiment in the field. These
stories regarding the Lieut.Col. are simply absurd. I have just received a
letter from you. I endorse fully the bravery of Gen'l Tyler. His chief fault
was his paying the Connecticut Volunteers the high compliment of believing they
could fight like veterans, a compliment not at all to the taste of the
Connecticut boys.
Good bye, dear mother.
Love to sisters and all.
Affec'y.,
W. T. Lusk.
_______________
Note. — Dr. Lusk once said that at the time of the mutiny
among the 79th Highlanders he had one of the narrowest escapes of his life. A
drunken soldier pointed a rifle at his head and fired, but a friend seeing the
danger, knocked the muzzle of the gun in the air, just in time to avert
catastrophy. In narrating this episode Dr. Lusk remarked with characteristic modesty,
“You know I never was very brave, but when the men refused to strike the tents,
the officers had to do it themselves.”
SOURCE: William Chittenden Lusk, Editor, War Letters
of William Thompson Lusk, p. 72-6
