Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-07-05
Horrible Case Of Flogging.

a letter from Fort SedgWlcK, C0l-
orado, dated June 16, gives the follow
ing account of most atrocious affair
which, if authenticated, ought to sub
ject the principals in its commission
to the severest punishment permitted
by law. 1t seems that person named
Hendricks, who was inflicted with an
incurable disease, was induced by two
men to purchase them a bottle of
whiskey, which he did. The men
turned out to be soldiers in citizens s
dress, and selling whiskey to soldiers
being against the army rule, Hend-
ricks, who had acted innocently in the
matter, was apprehended and taken
before the commanding officer. The
account says:
"Col. Dodge, without trial by court
martial, ordered Hendricks to receive
100 lashes. At tnoon on the following
day, extensive preparations having
been made for the complete and eff
tective carrying out of the sentence,
the wretched culprit was brought
from the guard house to the place of
torture. A rude cross firmly planted
In the ground, attracted the attention
of the man, On which he gazed with
dismay. Lieut.. Lantz of Co. f, of
the 3Oth Infantry, commanded the
squad detailed to attend to the pun.
ishment. Gathered around to wit
nes this unusual and un-American
scene were some two hundred soldiers
and a small group of citizens. When
all was ready Lieut.. Lantz ordered
him to be stripped, which was imme
diately done, with the exception of a
short. thin shirt, which barely reached
to his hips. He was then firmly
bound with his face to the cross. Al
a given signal two soldiers armed
with plated thongs, who stood on the
right and left, raised their whips alofl
and brought the whistling, kissing
lashes full on the naked body, which
sprang convulsively upward, as if
touched with red-hot irons. A broad
deep, red vale marked the spot OF
which tie lashes had fallen, but in 6
second it was lost to sight bv the
strokes which fell thick and fast on the
unfortunate man. Gradually the
deep, red wales assumed blacklist
color, and in short time the crimson
drops of blood rolled down the naked
legs, filling his shoes, or were splash
ed over the clothes of the bystanders
Toward the seventy-fifth stroke tht
flesh around the hips hung in shred:
as if torn by an animals claws. From
the middle of the back to within six
teen inches of the knees the body was
perfectly raw and black. At last {
citizen by the name of Seward of New
Julesburg, entreated Lieut.. Lantz tt
stop, for Gods sake. The man's
screams were awful he bounded from
side to side, spasmodically upward
and hung as if lifeless on the cross
His lacerated body was perfectly
frightful. After 1OS lashes had beer
administered Lantz gave the signal t.
desist. The orderly sergeant says HI
counted 80, but two or three bystand
ers stated that they counted 1O8.-
Leaning heavily on the cross after be
ing unbound he managed to dres
himself, after which he was sternl,
ordered to leave camp and the militia
ry reservation of Fort Sedgwick.-
Turning one look toward Lieut.. Liant
he crawled and limped painfully ava,
toward the sand bluffs to the north
ward. A feeling of universal horro
at the cruel punishment pervades al
the settlements. Gen. Sherman hat
left for the end Of the track but tw'
hours before the punishment commenc
ed. 1t is doubtful whether he knew
anything about it. Flogging, buckinl
and gaging, and stretching soldier
spread eagle" fashion, seem to be tn
order of the day here. Lantz, througl
the influence of Senator Cowan Of
Pennsylvania, was appointed Secon'
Lieutenant only IL days ago. l lima
CINE he has commenced early. Still
there are men in the. neighborhoo'
who believe him to be a Christian an
a gentleman"