Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-08-12
THE STORY OF Il MUTTNY.

James Franklin Fits tells The following
story of Gen. Wm II Emory, afterwards
the distinguished commander of the Nine.
tccnti Army Corps. The mrtiuy occurred
in regiment in Gen. Emory's brigade,
during the spige of Yorktown The men
had received no pay and scanty clothing
for six months. One morning they re-
fused to take arms, aud the colonel had
that d,sagrccabc Intelligence to report at
the brigade headquarters. Mr.. Fiits
proceeds:
Our bligalcr had come from the regn-
lar cavalry to accept his command in the
volunteers; and he was one of the best
discipinarians that West Point ever gave
to the army. He was much past the mid
die age, and had seen arduous and distin-
puiShed service in Mexico and the West.
He was n man of medium height, or per-
haps something above it, with hair dashed
" ilh grey, sandy whiskers and mous,ache,
a massive forehead, and face with the
wrinkles OF service, and bu,hy eyebrows.
owe, ,han"ing a pair OF keen incisivc eyes.
His presence was habitualy stern, some
what forbidding expressing habitual de-
termination. Yet he had one ol the kind
est of hearts, and his commands invariably
learned before he had done with them,
that their comfort and safety were mt all
times the object of his anxious solicitude.
He was far braycr than generals are apt
10 be; when lis troops went into battle
he WAS always upon the line with them,
exposed to the fire, and not Sheridan him
self was more careless ofpcrsoual danger,
more reckless of bullets, at Opcquan and
Cedar Creek. than was this man. His
troops OF course loved him when they
knew him.
He listened to the story OF the colone
on this morning with evident displcasarc,
which found expression in a few words
which were more forcibe than elegant;
but | venture to say that no general officer
in the armies would have said less under
the circumstances. He listened attentive
ly to the details of the mu;iny rs the colo
mel gave them, and when the latter had
finished, he said
They won't take arms-eh?"
"No, sir, they won't Any order they'll
obey, but not that"
well, sir, are any of your officers in
this business?"
"Noi one, General, nor any Of the
orderies," was the eager reply.
The General took one turn across his
tent floor.
"Return to your camp. Sir" he said,
"and assemble your officers in front OF
your tent. Ill be there in Il few mo
ments.n
The colonel rode away, not very easy
in mind, and wondering what was about
10 happen. The general ordered his
horse anu caiicu III MS alueS.
"Get up your horses Immediately. Cap
tain, ride over to Captain; G i've
him my compliments, and tell him to
bring a section of his artillery to the camp
OF the -th Ontonagon Intantry-im
mediatcly! Lieutenant-. hasten to
Colonel-and Colonel Command
ing regiments OF the brigade), and tell
them, with my compliments, to march
their commands. under arms, TO the same
place. You will accompany them there.
A few moments later The men of the
rebclIious regiment, gathered into knots
in the company streets. and about The
parade, and comforting in whispers to-
gether, saw the general followed by Il
single orderly, ,ridethrough the camp back
to the colonel's tent. Some Of them, saw
from a distance that the officers were
formed in single line in front Of the
tent, with the field officers on the right,
the captains next. and the lieutenantS Oh
the left.
The general dismounted, and taking
brief survey of the faces before him,
turned to The colonel.
"Sir." he said sternly, "do you refuse
TO perform dutyP"
"No, sir.n was the emphatic answer.
He turned to the line, and passing
down it, addressed the same question to
each officer, beginning with the lieuten
ant.colonel and ending with the last