The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1878-07-11
The Point of Honor.

1OuRuV, Ill LuSllSll \WhlSh huNt
taken distinguished part in that great
victory, stationed in Mediterranean
garrison, gained an unenviable notoriety
there by sudden monia for dueliDe
that broke out amongst the officers, and
which threatened to become so chronic
in its character as seriously to interfere
with the discipline of the corps. Quar-
rels were literally "made to order at
mess-time for the most trifing affairs,
and scarcely day passed without a hos.
tile meeting taking place, which the
colonel-a weak-minded man expressed
himself powerless to prevent. Indeed,
be had already been sent to Coventry"
by his subordinates, which, as our read
ers doubtless know, is kind OF social
accommodation that, when acted upon
in an English regiment, generally ends
in the retirement from the corps of the
individual on whom it falls. 1t was so
in this instance, for the colonel saw that
the vendetta-like conduct of his officers
towards him was gradually divestina
him of all authority in the eyes of his
men: and as he had none but his social
interiors to whom he could turn- ioY
counsel and advice, he was compelled to
relinquish his command and return to
England. On arrival in that country he
lost no time h proceeding to the Horse
Guards, where he sought and gained an
sinterviewSwith the Duke of Wellington,
&NIhem he gave a graphic account of
A. tate of affairs which existed in the
rae @ ment he had just left.
~ ne Iron Duke listened attentively to
the Narration, and knitted his brow in
anger as the colonel related the story of
the dueling; and, when the latter had
finished speaking, he exclaimed, in an
Enthusiastically stern and uncompromising
tone:
cit is your fault, sir You should
have brought some of the ringleadeers
to a court-martial, and cashiered them
on the spot. You have sadly neglected
your duty, and that is thing which 1
never pardon"
The colonel left the Horse Guards in
a very crestfallen state, and he was
scarcely surprised when he saw in the
next Gazette the announcement that
"His Majesty had no further need of
his services"
In the meantime the duke had obtain
ed special audience of the Prince Re.
gent, to whom he explained the con-
dition of affairs in connection with the
regiment in question. The result of the
interview was that Colonel "A we'll
known martinez, then on half-pay, was
sent for, and the circumstances explained
to him; the prince offering him the COM
mand of the regiment on condition that
he would undertake to cure the dueling
propensities of its officers. Colonel A
- was delighted at the prospect of ac-
tive service, and he willingly accepted the
task assigned to him, it being understood
that he was to be granted royal indem-
nifty for anything serious which might
happen to any body else in his endeavors
to put stop to the dueling. He was a
man of high reputation, and had previ-
ously held other difficult commands, be.
ing known throughout the army as
good soldier but a stern disciplinarian
Such was the old soldiers feelings at
the special honor conferred on him that,
on leaving st. James's palace, he actu-
ally forgot to return the salute of the
sentinels posted at the gates, to the great
astonishment of the latter, who knew his
punctilious habits.
On his arrival at the garrison he lost
no time in making himself acquainted
with his brother officers. He had already
laid out his plan OF action in his own
mind. and was fully determined to allow
nothing to swerve him a hairs breath
from the path of duty. At the mess
table he behaved with studied politeness
and amiability of manner; and his sub
ordinates indicated that they were great
ly' pleased with their new commander.
He chatted pleasantly with all, from the
senior major down to the youngest en-
sign, and when the cloth was removed
regaled them with the latest gossip and
doings of London society. Before they
separated for the night, however, he
took the opportunity of informing them,
in very quiet manner, that he had
heard of the frequent duels which had
already taken place in the corps, and
that it seemed matter of regret to him
that they could not manage to live in
peace and amity. ..
However" he said, "if it be your
wish, gentlemen, to fight out your quar-
reIs in this way, shall interpose no OBJ.
stacle to your doing SO. But this can
only be by your pledging your word of
honor now, to the effect that in future
no duel shall take place without my per.
mission having been first obtained. AsI
am your colonel, it is necessary that nv
authority should be acknowledged in ali
that relates to the honor of the regi-
mept,"