The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1862-02-08
From Berdan's Sharp Shooters.
WASHINGTON, d. G., Feb. ), 1856


WASHINGTON, d. G., Feb. ), 1862.
| After getting to bed and sound
ascep, (say about ten 0 clock,) was ava Sened
by the orderly calling at the tent door and tell
| inv me to get up, and report TO the captain $
tent immediately, with nine others who hai
been awakened rs uncerem0nlously as myself,
which order was instantly obeyed. On arriving
at the captain ) quarters, asked him what was
to be done be said that he knew no more about
it than did. We were marched around to tho
guard house, where We were joined by an equal
number of men from each company in the First
Regiment, making eighty men besides officers.
After standing there something like an hour and
a halt. while the officers were in consultation,
the men were furnished with Colts revolving
rifles CHARGED ith five ball cartridges and with
bayonets fixed, and formed in lire of battle.
We were then addressed Ivy Col. Berdan, who
said their were rebels in lie camp, and that they
must be found out He also said that we should
have TO be on duty all night, and might be called
upon at any moment but if we were ordered
to fire and a single man refused to fire at the or
der, he should run him through with his sword
If he died for it the next moment We Were
then taken out nearly to the officers quarters Of
the Second Regiment, halted, and formed in line
Of battle. A squad Of i've or six men. i'll charge
of the Colonel and officers ct The day, then went
and arrested captain, lieutenant, and three or
four priyates of The Second Regiment, und left
them in custody of the guard detailed for the
purpose. We were then taken into the officers
mess-room, where We stood with arms in hand
till morning, with directions to be in readiness
to be called out any moment. But We were not
called on again, and our five ball cartridges were
not wanted.
The caU%e Of this manoeuvre, us near as can
learn, WAS some demonstrations and expressions
against accepting the Colt rifle by the Second
Regiment, which, the Colonel considered rather
mutinous. | do not, however. think there will
be any further trouble. az there Is now IL reason
able prospect OF onr getting Sharp 5 rifles before
long. If we are patient. There are two objpc
tons to Colt F.. rifle ,-they wil! not shoot acc,l-
rateiy, and they are thought to nc dangerous on
account OF niura than one chamber OF the cyiin-
der being discharged IL once, wounding the
hands OF the hnGer M we'll as the heads nl HE
.uen in front.
In the morning, just before rcY2ille we were
sent to our quarters, but NOT to rest : We must
still hang TO our arms, and fall in instantly at
the sound of the buge. At about eight o'clock
in the morning, the bugle commenced to sound
the general cali when we instantly formed on
tne cOlOr line, anu some O tue boys VI Che FIRST
Regiment who had refused to do guard duty,
we're assembled to be brought to n SENSE Of their
duty. They were arranged in IL line iicing the
wall of glittering bayonets, when the Colonel.
approaching the first, drew bis sword. and ras.
ing i, in threatening manner. asked him it he
still refused to do his duty? After some further |
words, the man concluded to 90 on guard when
it came his turn. The Colonel then tried the
next with the same result, and the next, aud 10
on to the last, who stood out for some time
The Colonel. pointing to the line of glt'ering
guns, each loaded with five balls tolA him to
take his choics, return to his duty, or take the
consequences, that he should not say what the
consequences would be, but he might depend
they would I've severe, and that it would be se.-
tied on the spot. The fellow finally asked for
twenty-iour hours to think of it. which was i'm.
mediately granted by the Colonel. and he was
sent to the guard house. The Colonel then
thanked us for our services, and said he liked our
conduct 10 well that he should keep us III our
present position until he had re esta blished good
discipline IN camp; after which We we've sent to
our quarters, with directions to be ready FIR ~
call at any time, and that we should be exempt
from all other duties meanwhile. Up to seven
o clock in the evening, nothing more had been
heard OF the mutiny, and it is hoped nothing
more will be. That the Colonel is always right,
| don, pretend 10 say, but while he commands
he certainly ought 10 be obeyed.
Yours. &C.. w. W.