New Orleans daily crescent., 1861-09-19
From Cooper's Wells.


CoorERs WELLS MISS, September IA 1851.
Ed. Crescent-On the day appointed, the drum |
head court martial, Ito which ] referred in my |
last,) was duly opened in the usual form, by |
Third Sergeant 8. W. Nick, acting as Provost !
Marshal: Captain D. G. L., President; G. Fl. E.,
Judge Advocate; G. L. S., for the defense First |
Lieutenant Mrs. G. D. P. Second Lieutenant, Miss
NJ. g., and Mr. B., as Secretary. e.
On motion, it was agreed that this should be
general court martial, for the trial of offenders,
and that should claim the privilege of being
tried only by officers of CHER rank, but should
abide the decision of the members present-so
far, so good.
The Captain. General D. C. L. then handed the
Judge Advocate his charges and specifications
against Sergeant G. 7. N, for gross insubordina-
ton and breach of military discipline, in transcend
ing his position as Orderly, at the last parade by
forming company after the Captan-General had
dismissed them.
The poor Sergeant, with a detected counte-
nance was brought into Court by Corporal's
guard armed to the teeth, and when the indlct-
ment was read, answered. mot guilty" The
Judge Advocate opened the case, and from his
stern manner and duncOmpromisng looks, thought
it poor chance for the miserable Sergeant, with
the strong array of witnesses for the prosecution
but, at length, ray of light broke upon us in.
favor of the prisoner, through the testimony Of
war, Is. W. Mex, R. W. ST. A. G. and othersD
that although the Captain General had given the
orders break ranks, he had never said march
ank that the Sergeant, with many other well
drilled members, had stood fast, while the balance
| commenced making a stampede, and that he had
but called them to " attention " and received the
| consent of the Captain-Generai to salute him,
which done, he at once " broke ranks, march,.
never doubling for moment he had accomplished
| saving clause and a compliment for his beloved
| Captain.G eneral. How great must have been his
| amazement when he found his iayors not only
thrown away, but he, made the subject of court
| martial. Then all his Southern blood flew to his
heart, and he determined, if he obtained his re-
lease, to retaate upon him, which the sequel will
| duly show.
The Judge Advocate, with great ferceness,
pitched into the poer Sergeant right and left, and
from the tear drops gushing from the prisoners
eyes and the painful nervousness Of the affection
| ate wife and children, the case must have been
| considered very doubtful when, Sergeant O. L. N.
rising, with swollen eyes and choking voice, ap-
| pealed in the most eloquent and fervd strains to
| the Court for just Judgment. Pocket handker-
chiefs for fifteen minutes were in great demand
with the sympathetic audience, but whether it was
the result of the great heat or not, am incapable
| of saying. The jury, after short consultation,
gave their verdict of " not guilty." when the
overpowered Sergeant frantically rushed into the
embraces of his darling wife and children, weeping
| like child. But soon his bitter revenge dried up
his tears and the good fountain of his soul, and he
was seen to hand the Provost Marshal docu-
| ment, which was something to this effect:
| "To the Honorable Court, greeting: The de-
ponent, Sergeant G. T. N, of the Lyle Sharp
|
Gen. D. s. L. with inhuman treatment and CON
| duct unbecoming soldier; that he the said D. G.
L., did, with malice aforethought, on the evening
of the last dress parade after the arduous duties Of
the said Sergeant at long drill, actually left his
post in the ball ROOM and did imbibe twice Of
spirituous liquids within the space of thirty min
utes without offering any rereshment to his suffer-
ing Sergeant and that he the said Captain while
in uniform, had imbibed of various liquids to that
| extent which made him act unbecoming soldier,
and that he had desecrated the Sabbath by joining
in the wee hours of the day--and he humbly
prayed the court for relief in the premises.
| "tSigned) CT. M
This charge made the Captain. General look
aghast and he denied the right to be tried by sub
ordinntes but he was Immediately overrnled by
the Court, as it was unanimously agreed, at its
opening, that no officer should avoid trial by
| ranking higher than its members. He was COM
pletely in mesh, and the terrific and savage tones
| of the Judge Advocate completely sienced all his
efforts to get hearing. Whereupon, the Captain
General refused to answer the orders OF the Court
and not until Corporals guard of three feminines
took him in hand, would he surrender. His seat
| was then occupied by Col. S. G. f., and all the
charges of the Sergeant being substantiated, the
Court, after short consultation, decided " that he
| be shot" by file of twelve feminnes armed each
with bottle of Heidsieck-he paying the expense
of ammunition.
He was then held in custody, but released on pa
role and to be considered under arrest until he had
carried out the sentence of the Caurt Martial: and
right yaantly was he slain at dinner.
The reports of the guns startled the echoes in
the hills and many voices went up with q thrill of
Joy that the feat was accomplished. At dinner,
the most congenial feeling prevailed, and toast,
sentiment and hilarity prevailed.
The noble and patriotic manner in which he
subscribed himself a martyr in the cause, induced
his many friends to at once propose an invitation
| to give him complimentary supper, which, be-
ing duly accepted, took place this evening after
the ball; the proprietor kindly furnishing the
edibles, and the Captains friends the Hedseck. A
brilliant array of beauty assembled, and after
many pleasant sentiments, the whole retired to
soft, sweet slumbers.
Thus gaily has passed another week away. l
must say, without hesitation, never have seen at
any watering place so much sociability and good
feelings We are all willing to enter into anything
that will afford amusement. --..
Professor Vegas is here, and giving lessons in
the beautiful and graceful new dance, the I'm
perial;n of course your subscriber must e'en be
Il even with the times, and prides himself upon the
many graceful bows he has to perform during the
dance. Two of his pupils gave the Pas Styfien il
beautiful style, and were much appiauded.
A grand military ball will take place here on thu
23d inst, for the benefit of the families of yoluu
teers now in the war. All the fair iu the surround
ing country viii De on nand, and We anticipate
gay time, To show you we are in earnest abon
Keeping an eye open here for spies and interlopers
strange character, a lecturer, arrived here few
days ago, looking Us much like, and speaking wit
the full, clear, nasal twang of real downeaster a
have ever seen or heard. We gave him chanc
for lecture, in which he developed some geniu
} as phrenologist, but his nasal twang still SCENE
. stronger, and as he did not avow any ctizenshi
with any Dartrnlar Stete hav bann in To