On Monday, September 12, 1898, the command left Camp Corbin, Va., and embarked for Knoxville, Tenn., about 10 o'clock, the men traveling in day coaches and the officers in Pullman sleepers. The train was in two sections. Upon arrival at Knoxville the command was sent to Camp Poland, near the Fourteenth Michigan Regiment, who were soon mustered out. A few days after the arrival of the Sixth Virginia the Third North Carolina arrived, a full regiment with every officer a Negro. While here in order to get to the city our officers, wagons and men had to pass the camp of the First Georgia Regiment, and it was quite annoying to have to suffer from unnecessary delays in stores and other things to which the men were subject.

After the review by General Alger, Secretary of War, the Colonel of the Sixth Virginia received permission from headquarters of Third Brigade, Second Division, First Army Corps, General Rosser commanding, to move the camp to a point nearer the city, which was granted. Soon after the arrival of the Third North Carolina Regiment the First Georgia seemed disposed to attack the colored soldiers, so on a beautiful September evening some shots were fired into their camp by the First Georgia men and received quick response. After the little affair four Georgians were missing. The matter was investigated, the First Georgia was placed under arrest.

After the removal to a new portion of Camp Poland orders were received from the headquarters First Army Corps, Lexington, Ky., ordering a board of examiners for the following officers of the Sixth Virginia: Maj. W.H. Johnson; Second Battalion, Capt. C.B. Nicholas, Capt. J.E. Hill, Capt. J.A.C. Stevens, Capt. E.W. Gould, Capt. Peter Shepperd, Jr., Lieutenants S.B. Randolph, Geo. T. Wright and David Worrell for examination September 20, 1898, each officer immediately tendered his resignation, which was at once accepted by the Secretary of War.

[Illustration: MAJOR R.R. WRIGHT, PAYMASTER IN U.S. ARMY.]

Under the rules governing the volunteer army, when vacancies occurred by death, removal, resignation or otherwise, the Colonel of a regiment had the power to recommend suitable officers or men to fill the vacancies by promotions, and the Governor would make the appointment with the approval of the Secretary of War. Many of the men had high hopes of gaining a commission; many of the most worthy young men of the State, who left their peaceful vocations for the rough service of war, for they were, students, bookkeepers, real estate men, merchants, clerks and artists who responded to their country's call--all looking to a much desired promotion. But after many conflicting stories as to what would be done and much parleying on the part of the recommending power, who said that there was none in the regiment qualified for the promotion. And thereupon the Governor appointed white officers to fill the vacancies created. A copy of the following was sent to the Governor of Virginia through "military channels" but never reached him; also to the Adjutant General of the army through military channels:

Sixth Virginia Volunteer Infantry,
Second Battalion, Colored,
Camp Poland, Tenn.,
October 27th, 1898.
To the Adjutant General, U.S. Army, Washington, D.C.
Sir--We, the undersigned officers of the Sixth Virginia Volunteer
Infantry, stationed at Camp Poland, Knoxville, Tenn., have the honor
to respectfully submit to you the following:
Nine officers of this command who had served the state militia for a
period ranging from five to twenty years were ordered examined. They
resigned for reasons best known to themselves. We the remaining
officers were sanguine that Negro officers would be appointed to fill
these vacancies, and believe they can be had from the rank and file,
as the men in the various companies enlisted with the distinct
understanding that they would be commanded by Negro officers. We now
understand through various sources that white officers have been, or
are to be, appointed to fill these vacancies, to which we seriously
and respectfully protest, because our men are dissatisfied. The men
feel that the policy inaugurated as to this command should remain, and
we fear if there is a change it will result disastrously to one of the
best disciplined commands in the volunteer service. They are unwilling
to be commanded by white officers and object to do what they did not
agree to at first. That is to be commanded by any other than officers
of the same color. We furthermore believe that should the appointments
be confirmed there will be a continual friction between the officers
and men of the two races as has been foretold by our present
commanding officer. We express the unanimous and sincere desire of
seven hundred and ninety-one men in the command to be mustered out
rather than submit to the change.
We therefore pray that the existing vacancies be filled from the rank
and file of the command or by men of color. To all of which we most
humbly pray.
(Signed)
J.B. JOHNSON, Major 6th Va. Vol. Inf.
PLEASANT WEBB, Capt. 6th Va. Vol. Inf.
BENJ. A. GRAVES, Capt. 6th Va. Vol. Inf.
JAS. C. SMITH, 6th Va. Vol. Inf., 1st Lt.
L.J. WYCHE, 1st Lt. 6th Va. Vol. Inf.
CHAS. H. ROBINSON, 1st Lt. 6th Va. Vol.
JOHN H. HILL, 1st Lt. 6th Va. Vol. Inf.
JNO. K. RICE, 1st Lt. 6th Va. Vol. Inf.
EDWIN T. WALKER, 1st Lt. 6th Va. Vol..
C.R. ALEXANDER, 1st. Lt. and Sarg. 6th Va. Vol. Inf.
JOHN PARHAM, 2nd Lt. 6th. Va. Vol. Inf.
JAS. ST. GILPIN, 2nd Lt. 6th Va. Vol. Inf.
W.H. ANDERSON, 2nd Lt. 6th Va. Vol. Inf.
GEORGE W. FOREMAN. 2nd Lt. 6th Va. Vol. Inf.
FREDERICK E. MANGGRUM, 2nd Lt. 6th Va. Vol. Inf.
RICHARD HILL, 2nd Lt. 6th Va. Vol. Inf.
JAMES M. COLLIN, 2nd Lt. 6th Va. Vol. Inf.
FIRST ENDORSEMENT.
Headquarters 6th Va. Vol. Inf.
Second Battalion, Colored,
Camp Poland, Tenn., Oct. 28, if
Respectfully forwarded.
I have explained to the officers who signed this paper that their
application is absurd, but they seem unable to see the points
involved.
The statement within that 791 men prefer to be mustered out rather
than serve under white officers is based upon the alleged reports that
each First Sergeant stated to his Captain that all the men of the
company were of that opinion. The statement that the men "enlisted
with the understanding that they would be commanded entirely by Negro
officers," seems to be based upon the fact that when these companies
were called upon by the State authorities they volunteered for
service, etc., "with our present officers." These officers (9 of
them) have since resigned and their places filled by the Governor of
Virginia with white officers.
These latter have not yet reported for duty.
Further comment seems as unnecessary as the application itself is
useless.
(Signed) R.C. CROXTON,
Lt. Col. 6th Va. Vol. Inf. Com'd'g.
SECOND ENDORSEMENT.
Headquarters Third Brigade,
Second Division, First Army Corps,
Camp Poland, Tenn., Oct. 29, 1898.
Respectfully forwarded. Disapproved as under the law creating the
present volunteer forces the Governor of Virginia is the only
authority who can appoint the officers of the 6th Va. Vol. Inf.
(Signed) JAMES H. YOUNG.
Col. Third N.C. Vol. Inf. Com'd'g. Brigade.
THIRD ENDORSEMENT.
Headquarters Second Division,
First Army Corps,
Camp Poland, Knoxville, Tenn., Oct. 31, 1898.
Respectfully returned to the Commanding General, Third Brigade.
The enclosed communication is in form and substance so contrary to
all military practice and traditions that it is returned for file at
Regimental Headquarters, 6th Va. Vol. Infantry.
By command of Colonel KUERT.
(Signed) LOUIS V. CAZIARC,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
FOURTH ENDORSEMENT.
Headquarters Third Brigade,
Second Division, First Army Corps.
Respectfully transmitted to C.O., 6th Virginia, inviting attention to
preceding Inst.
By order of Colonel YOUNG.
(Signed) A.B. COLLIER,
Captain Assistant Adjutant-General.

A NEW LIEUTENANT FOR THE 6TH VIRGINIA.

October 31st, 1898, the monthly muster was in progress. There appeared in the camp a new Lieutenant--Lieut. Jno. W. Healey--formerly Sergeant-Major in the regular army. This was the first positive evidence that white officers would be assigned to this regiment. This was about 9 o'clock in the morning, and at Knoxville later in the day, there were more arrivals. Then it was published that the following changes and appointments were made:

Company "D," First Battalion, was transferred to the Second Battalion; Company "F," of the Second Battalion, transferred to the First Battalion. Major E.E. Cobell, commanding Second Battalion. Captain R.L.E. Masurier, commanding Company "D." Captain W.S. Faulkner, commanding Company "E." Captain J.W. Bentley, commanding Company "G." Captain S.T. Moore, commanding Company "H." First Lieutenant Jno. W. Healey to Company "H." First Lieutenant A.L. Moncure to Company "G." Second Lieutenant Geo. W. Richardson, Company "G." First Lieutenant Edwin T. Walker transferred to Company "C." November 1st officers attempted to take charge of the men who offered no violence at all, but by their manner and conduct it appeared too unpleasant and unsafe for these officers to remain, so tendered their resignations, but they were withheld for a day.