The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-12-29
For the Gate City,
FIRST IOWA CAVALRY.

II is a general belief among the good people
of this enlightened country that a law OF Con
gress abolished that relic of a barbarous age.
" foqqing, as a means of punishment in our
army and navy, and many would, no doubt,
be shocked were they to learn that any man
of character and reputation a Christian or
gentleman could in this age of civilization,
and among this nation of freemen, wish 10 see
il re established. Courts martial, too. are
usually considered q very summary mode of
trying and Furnishing offences. and few people
would imagine swifter mode Of punishment,
except, perhaps. when Judge Lynch directs
proceedings.
From special order, issued by General
commanding troops In Texas, We quote be-
low, TO show that he, at least, believes that
"courts martial are not swift enough, nor
the punishment that could be inflicted by
them, under the . Articles of War and
Regulations" sufficiently severe to punish
such grave offences as. perchance, the taking
of chicken or piece of beef from some re-
constructed rebel by some soldier actually
suffering for food, or the taking of an armful
of hay or dozen ears of corn for his famished
horse, when he can obtain none in any other
way. The order in question reads:
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY, =
ALEXANDRIA, La, June "A, 1865.
SPECIAL ORDER, No. g
Every violation of this order
will receive prompt and severe punishment
Owing to the delays of courts martial, and
their impracticabiity when the command is
unsettled. it is hereby ordered that any enlist
ed man of this command violating the above
order, or committing depredations upon the
persons or property OF citizens, will have his
head shaved, and, in addition, win receive
twenty five lashes upon his back, well laid on.
This punishment will, in all cases, be admin,
istered under the supervision of the Provost
Marshal of this command, who is charged
with the execution of this order, SO far as it
lies in his power.
By command of Major General CUSTER.
J. l.. GREENE,
CoFFIciAL. A. A. Gen.
This General Custer has under his com
mand, and subject to the above order, the
1st Iowa Cavalry, as brave and true body of
men as ever wore spurs or carried sabre, men
VINO SETNtu bucH Couutfy idttuiuti@ uuiluS
all the time of danger, cheerfully bore all
hardships and sufferings incident to active
campaigns, and in some instances, injustice
even, uncomplainingly. Now that the war is
ended, ifthey cannot be spared the service yet,
surely they have the right to such treatme mt
as is due men and soldiers, and not that some
times given to felons and slaves. General
Custer has many peers in that regiment, and,
doubtless, as well in others of his command,
for every quality that 20 to make good and
true man and patriot, and even two stars on
his shoulder should not give him license to
override decency, as fwen rs the Regulations
prescribed for his conduct as well as that of
the lowest private in his command.
Is there NO power in this Government to
protect the men, who saved its very existence
during the past four years, from the sbuse
and injustice Of 20 petty an official as Gen.
Custer? - FIRST CAVALRY.