The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-08-19
BIDDEFoRD, Me-, FRIDAY

rammers In the barrels, and the humping
In the bore Of the cannon, sent thrill
to the nerves Of those who looked and
listened.
load with grnpc.' was the command to
the artillery. Then followed the orders:
.Ready!-Aimr
The aspect of the scene when the gen.
eral rode between the limos. pausing In
the centre and facing the mutineers, was
such as might well have carried appre'
hension to the stoutest heart. At least one
thousand bright musket barrels were
lcyelled, ready for the word that would
hurl their deadly contents into the breasts
before them. while upon either flank was
q field.piece charged with grape, the gun
ner standing lanyard in hand, only wait
inc for the word to belch out destruction
upon the misguided men. =.
.Iet the officers retire behind the brig
ade line,' the general commanded.
They did so. :.
Men Of The regiment he said. In
stentorian tones, listen to me! / shall not
stop now to inquire why you have dis
graced yourself and the command this
morning by disobedience to your officers.
I shall merely give you one order. lfyou
obey, well; If not-yOu will have no 9TH
or 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 destructionH 49, -
He looked tho threat, rs well as uttered
It; and then In voice Of thunder, be gave
the commands:
sTake-ARMsn
1t was done on the instant. Never did
the regiment execute that order In better
time; the stacks were broken, and the
mutineers. fairly frightened out of their
folly, again stood with shouldered arm.
The whole command was brought to an
order; and the general, speaking with
difficulty from the emotions Of the moments
addressed the regiment with such kindness
rs brought tears to the eyes of many "a
tall soldier. He briefly pointed out to
them the magnitude of their act as mil.
itary offence, and made them understand
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 oil were en-
gagged was most injured by such acts OF
insubordination. Their causes Of COM
plaint were Just. he said, and II their Off.
GERS were in fault they should be punished
for II. Full justice shall be done you,
and speedily he said; but in the future
never let me hear from you In this way.
There are other and better ways to correct
evils i'm the ranks than this
He LEFT the ground with the respect and
affection of every man there; but his In
tcryiew with the officers, which Immediate
ly followed, was of a>different character.
Addressing himself to all, but more par
ticularly to the colonel, he gave them IN
excoriating lecture upon their carelessness
and gross neglect Of the interests OF their
men.
Il should be glad to think. he conclud.
ed, that none Of you are troubled with In
competency rs we'll as carelessness. You
are all of you to blame In this matter
nothing of this kind ever happens unless
the officers are In fault. And i give you
distinctly to understand that II 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 week; and from this time for.
ward every man and every officer of II
made It his particular duty to efiace the
stigma cast upon the regiment by this
affair. That they succeeded, the records
of tho arduous campaigns aud bloody bat.
ties in which II bore n heroic part, and
which are written in tho history of their
country, will attest.