The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1845-08-21
CAPT. SUGGS AND LIEUT.. SNIPES'
"COURT MARTIAL."

on the morning next after the occurrence of
the events related in the last chapter. At
Fort Suggs we say-for so had the Captain
christened sTaylor's store and the enclosure
thereof. Nor let any one reprehend him Tor
so doing. II was but the exhibition of van
ity, which, if not laudable, at least finds IFS
sufficient excuse in a custom that has pre-
vailed Slime out o fmind." Had not Roma
lus his Rome? Did not the pugnacious son
of Philip call his Egyptian military settle
ment Alexandra? And-to descend TO la
ter time and to cases more directly in point
is there not a Fort Canes in Georgia, and
a Fort Jesup in Florida? Who then shall
carp, when we say that Capt. Simon Suggs
bestowed his name upon the spot strength.
ened by his wisdom, and protected by his
valor.
Great then we repeat, was the commo-
ton at Fort Suggs on the morning in CUES
ton. The fact had become generally known
how could it be otherwise with thirteen wo-
men in the immediate vicinity!-that Mrs.
Haycock was to be "court martialed' on that
morning; and the commotion was the cOnse-
quence. The widow herself was suffering
great mental disquietude on the subject, in
addition 10 considerable physical discomfort
occasioned by the fall and rough handling
of the previous night. Under such circum-
stances, it would hardly be expected that her
woes would fail 10 find utterance. And it would
have been equally unreasonable to suppose
that her fellow GOSSIP 8 would restrain the nat
ural propensity of the sex. Let the reader
then, imagine-ifhe be not nervous-all the
uproar and din which three dozen woman
can make under the most exciting circum-
stances, and he will have some faint concep-
ton of the commotion al Fort Suggs on the
morning of the trial:
1t was an early hour; in fact-speaking
according to the chronometrical standard in
use at Fort Suggs-not more than 'fust drink
time," when Captain Suggs took Lieutenant
Snipes aside to consult with him in regard
to some of the details of the preparation for
the court martial.
"Snipes," said the Captain as he seated
himself a-stradle of the fence, and saw his
lieutenant safely adjusted in a like position
-"Snipes, as sure as you're born, that's a
difikilty about this here court-martial. Now
want you to tell me how we're to hold a
drum-head c%ourt-martial when we amt got
no drum!'
Lieutenant Snipes looked very much puz-
zled, and in fact he was exceedingly puzzled
and he considered The matter for several mo-
ments, but could see no way by which the
'diffikilty' might be surmounted. Atlength
he remarked.
at DOES look aukerd Capting."
eyes. You see when these here court
martials is jumped up all Of sudden, like
this, they're obleeged to be of the drum-head
sort-that's what I've alters hearn. We'll
, now, supposin'we was to hold one without
the drum, and heng-or shoot this cverlastin'
she devil; would the law estif US in doing so
e Sometimes | sorter think it would, and ther
J agin it looks sorter jubous. What's you
opinion Lieutenant"
e "Thal's it-whats you jist said,' replied
a Snipes, deferentially.
: "Good,' said the Captain-"lewtenant
= ought alters TO think list as their captains do
It's good sign"
\ Sits what I've alters done, and what | al
n Iers expects to do" replied Snipes.
"WelI, WE'LL" remarked Suggs, whose
chief object was TO impress Snipes with The
idea that the widows life was in actual dan
ger and through his lieutenant, create tina
impression upon Mrs. Haycock herself, ant
all the rest. "Well, we'll, don't you believ'
that eff | was to get a bar1, or somethin' ell
pretty nigh like a drum, and hold the court
martial by that-don't you believe that woul'
Justify us efany thing was brought up here
after, %supposin' we was 10 condemn the oil
woman 10 deth?"
"Belikes it would said Snipes."
81 know il would" said Suggs emphatica
Iy.