Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-01-16
Correspondence.
For the Standard.
A Military Flogging in the Brit
ish ARMY.

EdoI 1nuld uepOtS lHSu stdtlOHCu at Shot
ham. The fourth side of this square was
composed of the numerous defaulters
of the garrison, then and there assembled
TO witness that punishment which per-
severance in their evil courses might
some day likewise entail upon themselves.
AT that time sergeants of infantry still
carried the old fashioned weapon called
halbards. When corporeal punishment
was about to be inflicted, three halbards
being fastened together at the top, and
spread out in theshape ola pyramid, were
placed in the centre of the square, and to
these the prisoner was secured by his
arms and legs, whilst undergoing the
punishment awarded. Hence the now
nearly obsolate term in the army, of
"bringing a man to the halbards." AT
Chatham, however during the period to
which 1 allude, these parades were of
such frequent occurrence, that to save
time and trouble a permanent wooden
machine had been constructed, called the
''triangles > which, though fashioned so
as to assume the same pyramidical form
as the halberds, when arranged for "the
accommodation Of a prisoner, offered more
stability, at the same time that they were
more readily erected than the latter.
Conspicuous, in the centre Of the hollow
square now stood those black, ominous-
looking ''triangles )" not breath of air
disturbed the stiffness of the early morn.
which lad broke gloomy and lowering,
as if casting sorrowing frown over the
bloody spectacle which was about to en-
sue. The parade being formed, the
prisoner under custody Of an escort, was
marched forward into the square. The
charges on which he had been brought
to trial together with the finding and
sentence Of the court martial were then
read, in loud and cleartone Of voice, by
the garrison adjutant, whose every word
was distinctly audible amidst the death
like stiffness which reigned around. As
the words, three hundred laShes"-the
amount of punishment awarded to the
unfortunate delinquent-felI from the
lips of the official, slight tremor might
have been observed to creep through the
prisoners frame, whilst an almost inaudi,
bic murmur, resembling a suppressed
sigh, was heard to issue from the other
wise mute and motionless living wal
around. But although the spontaneous
evidence Of disapprobation thus manifest
ed at the disparity between the committed
offence and the forthcoming punishment
were perceptible. to this most causua
spectator still, even amongst those raw
recruits, constituting the greater part O,
the force then assembled on that parade
stern military discipline continued f.
hold her sway, and not movement wa:
to be seen, or, for the time, any farthe,
sound to be heard Strip, sir" was til,
word next given by the officer in com
mand. The prisoner removed both Goa
and shirt; fastened the loosened brace
round his waist, then leaned against tw,
OF the extended sides of the ''triangles,
to which his arms and legs were immedi
ately lashed with small ropes passin!
tightly round the ankles and the wrists
One of the officiating drumnlers. next in
yerting the prisoners stiff leathern stool
clasped it in front of his neck willis
I. another placed a small tin can of waite,
beside him on the ground. These latte,
: proceedings were mystery to me at til,
time, but L soon ascertained that the in
verted leathern stock was meant rs
protection TO the sufferers neck. agains
: any random blow which might inadvor
tently descend upon that part, the shout
ders being the legitimate place on wbicI
the ''cat" should fall whilst the drauob
OF water was-with cruel mercy-pro
vlded to restore the prisonerto conscious
ness and life, if the severity ofhis suffer
lngs eaused-especially in young recruit
the not unusual results of a faintino fit
The prisoner happened to belong TO m,
own squad. had always considered hin
as quiet, well-behaved man. and re
solved, even at the eleventh hour. to max
an attempt to save the poor fellow from
the lash being in my own mind per
tectly convinced that the offence 70
which he was about to be punished an,
which was Of purely military nature
had been inadvertently or unintentionall,
> committed. Making an effort to over
come the feeling of timidity and an ap
prehension which rooted me to the sno
where stood in the ranks. l at las
summoned up resolution to advance int
: the square, and duly recovering" m,
sword, preferred-thougb. I believe NO