The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-02-28
An Exasperated Private.

( Private McMurtrie- say that was his
name-was as fine young man as ever ]
saw in my life. So handsome and strong
and so gentle. l remember him now, as he
pressed up by my side to the assault of st
Sebastian, with his blue eye kindling, and
his hair blowing back never said two
words to him in my life, perhaps, but used
to admire him often. Well, sir, he had the
misfortune to offend the major once won't
say how, sir, but the fault was not his;
would have done it myself.
You know how togging was managed
then, sir. The regiment would be drawn up
three-square, at morning or evening parade /;
then they would bring the poor fellow out
and faster him with his hands and feet
stretched on the triangle and then one of
the drummers would lay into him with his
cat-stick with ten lashes you know sir. To
see the blood spirit from the bare back of a
man, 'twould make you feel faint, the first
time, think. Many's the time when I've
stood at my post with eyes closed, grit,ing
my teeth hard together every time I'd feel
the poor wretch-hear him, | mean-moan-
ing. And it was a common thing in those
days for officers to take oath before the sur
geon that they were sick, just to get off from
seeing a man Hogged at morning parade.
Well sir, the major got McMurtrie three
hundred lashes; and he took them with nev-
er whimper. From that day, though, he
was an altered man all the life was taken
right out of him. used to wan: to say
something to him, to tell him how l loved
him, and bid him keep up heart, when I'd
see him sitting all by himself, idle; but
somehow never could do it. Something
was wrong with him, was certain.
One day we had a grand review: sup
pose there were eighteen thousand men Of
Us. 1t was in Phenix Park, Dublin, a splen-
did piece Of ground of some fifteen hundred
acres. Well, there was the lord lieutenant,
with all his staff, in front of US ; and among
them this same majo As usual on such oc
casions, We were to fire down the line with
blank cartridge. The artillery, on the right,
took it up first; then the cavalry; then the
fire passed down the line of infantry-when
all of a sudden the major dropped from his
horse, dead, shot in the side. Instantly the
busles blew to cease firing all the staff dis
mounted and went along the line examining
the pieces for YOU know, sir, it is an easy
matter TO tel whether gun has been loaded
with bali or blank cartridge, by just looking
down the muzzle. At the same time, they
would ask at intervals Tel me upon your
honor sir, if you heard the report Of a mus
ket loaded with bali, or anything resembling
such sound Now | heard it, plain enough,
and as the officer passed along our line,
thinks TO myself, Il must tell if he asks me-
He stopped and put the question to the man
by my side. No sir was the answer. As
| said nothing, he passed me by, and asked
the next man. no sir" again, and So all
along-the men lied, to save their comrade 5
life. We were ranged three deep then; and
not two deep, as you are nowadays. So
when the front rank had shown their pieces
for inspection, to the rear, and the officers
walked down the second rank, in which Nc
Murtrie was, watched him with the corner
of my eye, as the command was given-order
arms. Quick as lightning he had changed
muskets with the man behind. He was safe.
Av, but he knew that had his secret
could see how the fear of me- kept weighing
on him every time passed him he would
tremDle. At last, one day, when he saw me
going to speak with the colonel, he fell to
the ground in faint. The colonel noticed
it and rode up, but suspecting nothing called
out to the surgeon Here, doctor. have this
man taken to the hospital; he is not fit for
work Sir, you ought to have seen the
smile that played over the poor fellows face
when he caught these words. AS he was
carried off to bed, he coulden't help giving
me a wink, which took care not to notice
of course. Next day he was out, as YOU may
guess. The last time heard OF
him, he had risen to be sergeant-major, and
was in a fair way to be promoted for bra
very.
Well, may God forgive him, sir .---im
hersf CnNeue iunn.ine