Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1870-07-27
mand to the artillery. Then followed

mand to the artillery. Then followed
the orders:
"Ready Aim ~
The aspect of the scene when the
general rode between the lines, paus-
ing in the centre and facing the mutt.
neers, was such as might well have
carried apprehension 10 the stoutest
heart. At least one thousand bright
musket barrels were leYelled, ready
| for the word that would hurl their
deadly contents into the breasts be-
fore them, while upon either flank was
field-piece charged with grape, the
gunner standing lanyard in hand,
only waiting for the word to belch out
destruction upon the misguided men.
"Let the officers retire behind the
brigade line" the general command
ed.
They did so.
"AIen of the - regiment, he said
in stentOrian tones, ''listen to me! 1
shall not stop now toinquire why you
have disgraced yourselves and the
command this morning by disobedi-
ence to your officers. 1 shall merely
give you one order. If you obey, well, !,
ifnot-you will have no other chance.
In that case, shall move to the rear
of the brigade, and then-by the liv-
ing God, l will blow every man of you
to destruction
He looked the threat, as well as ut
tered it; and then, in a voice of thun-
der, he gave the command:
"Idke-ARNiS! ~
1t was done on the instant. Never
did the regiment execute that order
in better time; the stacks were bro
ken, and the mutineers, fairly fright
ened out of their folly, again stood
with shouldered arms.
The whole command was brought
to an order; and the general, speak
ing with difficulty from the emotions
OF the moment, addressed the regi-
ment with such kindness as brought
tears to the eyes of many tall soldier.
He briefly pointed out to them the
magnitude of their act as military
offence, and made them understand
that mutiny in an army can never re-
suit in anything but discredit, or
worse, to those who undertake it ;
and he reminded them that the cause
in which all were engaged was most
injured by such acts of insubOrdina
ton. Their cause of complaint were
lust, he said, and if their officers were
in fault they should be punished for
it. Full Justice shall be done you,
and speedily" he said; "but in future,
neverIet me hear from you in this way.
There are other and better ways to cor
rect evils in the ranks than this"
He left the ground with the respect
and affection of every man there but
his interview with the officers, which
Immediately followed, was of differ
ent character. Addressing himself to
all, but more particularly to the
colonel, he gave them an excoriating
lecture upon their carelessneSs and
gross neglect of the interests of their
men.
al should be glad to think, =" he con-
with incompetency as well as careless
ness. You are all of you to blame in
this matter; nothing Of this kind ev-
er happens unless the officers are in
fault. And l give you distinctly to
understand that if anything of this
sort ever occurs here again, I'll court
martial every one of you"
He never had occasion to execute
the threat. The regiment was paid
up and clothed within a week; and
from this time forward every man and
every officer of it made it his particu-
lar duty to efface the stigma cast upon
the regiment by this affair. That
they succeeded, the records Of the ar
duOus campaigns and bloody battles
in which it bore heroic part, and
which are written in the history of
their country, will attest.
JAMES FRANKLIN Fits.