Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-08-12

this outbreak in ten minutes"
And then he added the same remark
that the officers of The regiment had
made: 1--WE shall see il they will dis
obey me"
The assembly was sounded. The com.
panics formed in their streets, and were
marched to their places in line behind the
stacks The laces of the men were grave
and serious, but generally showed no
abatement of purpose. That purpose
was, il WAS afterwards confessed. not to
resume their arms until the paymaster
and the quartermaster should have actu-
ally visited them and given them their
dues of pay and clothing. But in many
of these faces there WAS anxiety us well
as determination visible, and all, officers
and men, awaited the generals proceed
ings with such feelings as had never be-
fore been theirs.
They had not long TO wait. Two reg
iments OF the brigade marched upon the
ground, and under tho direction of the
aids were formed in long line, facing
the mutinecrs, mt shoulder arms, perhaps
seventyyards distant. Captain, with
two pieces of ofartllery, came up before the
formation WAS flashed, and by similar
direction one piece was posted upon each
flank of tho line in such manner rs TO
enfladc an entire wing of the mntinecrs.
For half minute after these ominous
dispositions there was m awful silence.
1t was broken by the voice OF tho general
in the stern command
Load"
The long line OF nnskcts went TO the
ground with shock, and The ringing Of
rammers in the barrels, and The humping
in the bore of the cannon. sent 4 thrill TO
the nerves of those who looked and
listened.
Load with grape was the command
to the artillery. Then followed The orders;
"Rcady!-Aim."
The aspect Of the scene when the gen
cral rode between the lines, pausng in
The centre and facing the mutineers, was
such as might well have carried apprc-
hensiun To the Stoutcst heart At last
one thousand bright muskct barrels were
levcllcd, ready Tor the word that would
hur their deadly contents into the breasts
before them. while upon either flank was
II iieldpiece charged with grape. the gun.
ner standing lanyard in hand. only wait
ing for the word TO belch out destruction
upon the misguided men.
"Let the officers retire behind the brig
ade line" The general commanded.
They did so.
'.Mcn OF thc-rcgimcnt," he said. in
stentorian tones, Listen to me! shall
not now stop to enquire why you have
disgraccd yourselves and the command
this morning by disobcdicncc to your
officers. | shall merely give you one
oroier. II you obey, well; if not-you
will have no other chance. In that case,
| shall move TO the rear of the brigade,
and then-by the living God, | will blow
every man of you to dcstruction!'
He looked the threat, rs well as uttered
it and then in voice Of thunder, he gave
the command:
"Idke-ARMS
1t was done on the instant. Never did
the regiment execute that order in better
time the stacks were broken, and the
mutinecrs, fairly frightened out of their
folly. again stood with shouldered ar.ns.
The whole command was brought to
an order; and the general, speaking with
difficulty from the emotions of the mo-
ment, addressed the regiment with such
kindness as brought tears to the eyes oil
many a tall soldier. He briefly pointed
out TO them the magnitude of their act
as military offence, and made them un-
dcrstand that mutiny in any army can
never result 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 characterization. Their causes OF
complaint were just, he said, and if their
officers were in fault they should be pun
ished for it. Full justice shall be done
you, and speedily" he said; "but III iu-
ture, never let me hear from you in this
way. There are other and better ways to
correct evils in the ranks than this"
He left the ground with the respect and
affection OF every man there; but his in
teryicw with the officers, which immedi.
ately followed, was Of different charac-
ter. Addressing himself to all, but more
particularly TO the colonel, he gave them
an excoliating lecture upon their careless
ness and gross neglect oi the interests Oh
their men.
Il should be glad to think" he con-
cluded, "that mono of you are troubled
with incompetency as well as careless
ness. You are all of you to blame in this
matter; nothing of this kind ever hap
pens unless the officers are at fault. And
give you distinctly to understand that if
ANYTHING of the sort ever occurs here
again, III court-martial every ono Of
you"
He never had occasion to execute the
threat. The regiment was paid up and
clothed within week; aud from This
time forward every man and every officer