Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-11-13

and the white uniforms of the men being wet
it was no wonder that the dirt adhered to them
with tenacity that defied all cxertions to get
it of, when the wearers were reused by this
SERGEANT to prepare for standing guard once
more. The more they tried to rub their clothes
clean the more sturtlily he lent helping hand
to their endcavors by an application Of the sad
cqui pment ofcvery Austrian non. commissioned
Officcr-the stick. Whilst he was fully at
work, cutting away at the men with power
ful arm. the door opened, and the officer on
duty entered the guard.rOOn.
en- -" Attention." commanded the ScTjeaut -
and, Saluting his superior, made the usual re-
port that nothing worth -emarking had hap
pcned. The officer, a young ensign, fresh
from the military school, and almost boy,
took no notice whatever Of this important
news, but asked the scrjcant in brisk aud
somewhat impctucus manner, "What he was
again striking the men for!"
The scrjcant, already much annoyed at this
interference, gave . SuTly and unwilling an
swcr; and, when the young officer rebukcd
him, in severe and perhaps somewhat naughty
manner, the violent and passionate man, losing
all selfcOntrOl, lifted up his hand against his
officer.
1t was but one fatal moment, quick as light
ming. The upliited hand never descended; it
|
was felled to the ground and disarmcd Half
an hour afterwards he found himself in irons
in the classmates.
Lifting the arm against a superior is con-
sidercd capital crime. In this case it had
been committed whilst both parties were on
duty, and the Austrian military laws are the
very last in the world to be trihed with The
following day he was tried by court martial,
and sentenced tn be shot. When the sentence
was forwarded to the competent authority for
ratification, It happened to be the supcrior's
anniversary day: capital punishment was
cOmmutcd, the criminal had to run the gaunt.
let.
A cruel act Of grace was this communication!
When the first sentence had been read over
to him, he had remained cold and impossible;
not muscle Of his proud face stirred. lie
did not fear death; he had looked it in the
face many time without finching, and to die
in the open air, pierced by a dozen balls-a
soldiers dcath-what should he care much
for that? But when he was Informed that he
had to run the gauntlet twice through his
company, after having been previously de-
graded, he tremblcd for the first time in his
life. lie knew OF many soldier who had run
the gauntlet through whole battalion, and
not been the worse for it after all he knew Of
some that had even married afterwards, and
had brought up families of children he was
fully aware that the issue Of this terrible tor
ture depended entirely upon tho dispositions
Of the men. Dreadful reflection! Above all.
he thought Of the shame, the dishonor-and
his proud heart was well nigh giving way.
On the evening previous to the punishment,
the second rifle battalion of Khernhullcr in
fantry would have been unfit for service; the
men were drunk. They had got up a carousal
- oc Al =.
the morning they were sober enough. The
drums ceased to beat as soon as the prisoner
had arrived in the middle of the square his
escort fell back. He stood alone near the
right wing Of the company. There was
dead silence not respiration was to be heard
from all the thousands gathered on the spot.
The commanding officer read the scntcncc over
to him for the second time This done, he
cxhortcd the men, according to custom, to dis
pense with all feelings Of compassion, and TO
do their duty conformably to the law. The
Colonel went through this part Of the formal
ty in q quick and hurried manner, as il he
were unwilling to perform it. So he was he
knew but too well that, in this instance, there
was no need whatever for exhoration These
e prelmnaries being over, the prisoner was de-
&c livcred into the hands Of the provost
l. When the latter tore off from his uniform
70 the golden lace and galloons--thc marks of
;. his military rank-throwing them, together
J, with the gold medal, at his feet, the face Of
II the unfortunate man became purple, and his
e dark eyes flashed fire. When he was strip
IS ped Of his coat and shirt, and placed at the
o entry Of the terrible street through which he
e had to pass, he became pale again. Two sol.
dicrs went ahead Of him they marched back
!, ward, with their bay0netS presented to his
/, breast, so as to force him to keep measure to
n drum which brought up the rear. The
e drum was muffled its slow and dismal beats
% sounded like the music Of funeral procession.
!. When he received the first stroke his feat.
/. ures assumed an expression Of pain, and his
j. tirm-sct lips quivered slightly. This was,
!. however, the only sign Of sensation. Crossing
T. his arms over his breast and pressing his teeth
e close together, his proud face remained hence
d forth immovable. His mercilcss enemies en-
IS joyed but an incomplete triumph after all !;
they might slash his body in pieces, but his
Q proud and indomitable spirit they could not
!. break. The blows descended with fearful
). violence upon him. After the first dozen
e blood came but never did he utter one sin
|, gle exclamation Of pain; never-not even
with lOOE--did hc-imPloFO-f for mercy. An
!. expression Of scorn and dsdain was deeply
d set on his face, a. pale as death. When he
It had reached at last the left wing Of the COM
r pany, his lacerated back presented n frightful
n appearance. Even his most exasperated enc
n mics might well have been satisfied now: if
q it had but been possible, the commanding Off.
4 Ger himself would have intcrfcred in his behalf;
] but this was not even to be thought Of; the
: law must have its course. They faced him
s right about; he had to make the same way
$ back again. There was one formality con.
nectcd with this punishment which was cru.
: ell, barbarous and shameful mockery the de-
G linquent had to thank his exccutioners for his
0 t0rtures.
D When the victim had arrived at the file
r leader Of the right wing Of his company, and
the dreadful execution was over at last, he
r threw one last, long look, full Of contempt, at
his tormenrOrs. Then he was seen staggering
like drunken man towards the commanding
officer. His eyes, swollen with blood, beamed
with an unnatural brightness, his respiration
J was short and painful; touching his head
with his right hand, in token Of the military
} salute, he said in voice that came out Of his
throat with u rafting sound, but that was
III Al.