New York Daily Tribune

THE GARIBALDI GUARD.

Correspondence of The N. Y. Tribune.

Camp Garibaldi, Abington Farm, Alexandria, Va.,
HEADQUARTERS GARIBALDI GUARD,
July 1, 1861.

We notice the following telegraphic dispatch from Washington, which appeared in some of the New-York papers of 9th inst.:

Washington, July 9.—A company of the Garibaldi Guard of New-York, which mutinied yesterday —as surrounded early this morning by the President's Mounted Guard, two companies of regular Cavalry, two companies of Infantry, and a company of District Militia, and forced to lay down its arms. The refractory men are now imprisoned in the Treasury building. An example will be made of the ringleaders.

The above dispatch is true, except in a few particulars, which we now propose to correct. We also desire to briefly explain the causes which have tended to produce the dissatisfaction which has existed among the soldiers of the Garibaldi Guard, together with the incidents connected with this much to be regretted occurrence.

The facts in regard to the said dissatisfaction are as follows: On Monday last, during the afternoon, Capt. Takatz, commanding the 7th Company (Hungarian) of the Garibaldi Guard, was ordered under arrest by Col. d'Utassy for disobedience of orders and unsoldierlike conduct, but upon the demand of the officer of the day on the Captain to surrender his sword he peremptorily refused to deliver it. As soon as Capt. Takatz perceived that stringent measures would be taken to enforce the order of arrest, he secretly summoned his company to load their arms. Twenty-three of the company refused to obey the orders of their captain, while the remainder, about fifty in number, quietly loaded their muskets and repaired to the captain's tent, when he put himself at their head and ordered them to leave the camp for Washington, threatening that any attempt made by the officers of the regiment to prevent his design would be resisted by force. Most of the staff officers were at their headquarters, unaware of the disorder, but the Adjutant, a determined and brave young American officer, hearing of the tumult, hastened to quell the disturbance.

The mutinous party, however, were already on their march from the camp on his arrival.

At this point, those of the company who had not followed their comrades, advised this officer, upon his assuring them of his confidence of bringing them back to order, not to attempt to arrest their march, expressing fears for his personal safety. Yet he, knowing the friendship and good feeling of the soldiers toward him, was about to overtake them, when he received orders from the Major of the regiment to ride by a circuitous route to the Long Bridge, to summon the guard there stationed to arrest their progress. The officer immediately obeyed the order, but from the embankments and fortifications thrown up along the road he was unable to pass the company before it reached the main road.

The company, either voluntarily or by command, faced about and leveled their pieces toward him, commanding him to halt. The officer immediately made himself known to them, and continued to advance, encouraged by a large number of the company, who tried to make their comrades understand that he was their friend.

When within about thirty yards of them he dismounted, and, although a small number continued with their muskets aimed at him, the greater number gathered around for the purpose of protecting him. Here the Captain, frenzied with anger, fearing the friendly disposition of the soldiers toward the officer, stepped forward and presented a revolver to his breast, threatening to fire if he should express an intention to induce his company to desist from their design of crossing the bridge, or if he should attempt to pass them and inform the guard at the bridge. Confident that the greater part were friendly to him, the Adjutant ordered the Captain to halt till he could return to headquarters and receive further orders from the Colonel. Most of the company were willing to obey this order, but the Captain, apprehending that it was a design to give time for the regiment to cut off his further advance, refused to obey the order, and commanded his men forward, agreeing to halt on the other side of the bridge, provided the officer would return unaccompanied, with a full pardon from the Colonel. The officer thereupon returned to headquarters, and received orders from Col. D'Utassy to again proceed with the Major, and give such information to the commanding General in Washington as might lead to their arrest. This order was promptly fulfilled by the two officers, and at 2 o'clock in the morning, while the company was resting a few rods over the bridge, commands were given by the General to the President's Mounted Guard, two companies of cavalry, two companies of infantry, and a company of District militia to arrest them, which was quickly and safely accomplished.

The alleged reasons for this mutinous conduct are as follows: that their families in New-York were suffering for the want of the means of support; that the Committee of Relief had cut off their supplies; that the Government had as yet not paid them, that they had not as yet received the rifles that had been frequently promised to them, and that their captain had been unjustly treated.

As a full investigation will be immediately instituted before a court-martial, we have no doubt that all these grievances will be ascertained to be wholly insufficient, even if true, to warrant such conduct.

Since the above occurrence took place, the Government has paid off the regiment up to the first of June, and furnished them the promised rifles, which has caused the greatest satisfaction among the soldiers of the regiment.

We expect daily to receive orders to move forward, and we trust that hereafter nothing will occur to mar the good name and hopes of the friends of the regiment.

K.