Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-06-25
An Army Incident.


the following interesting army incident:
As showing the attachment of some of
the military officers servants to their mas
ters, | will relate an incident which occur
red in garrison town in which the writer
was stationed for some time.
An officer of rank in the artillery was
named in garrison orders us the officer of
the day. AS the "grand grounds" it was
his duty to visit the garrison guards ut
night. Having sat pretty late ut mess,
and being fond of his bottle, his gait was
very unsteady when he rose from the table
to proceed to his quarters to dress for duty.
Before dressing he threw himself on his
bed saying:
"Tl Just snatch half an hours sleep :;
call me at one O'clock"
At one o'clock the servant attempted to
rouse him, but without effect The SER
want got the officer upon his feet, shook
him, applied wet cloths to his head, but to
no purpose; the gentleman had been going
on short allowance Of sleep for week,
and now nature had taken hold of him.
and, being backed by the wine he had
drank, held him fast. The servant was
almost frantic, knowing we'll the conse-
quences that would cnsue if his master did
not make the grand rounds. While Won
dering what course to pursue his eyes fell
upon his masters uniform, sword, etc, all
ready laid out for him to put on. The
master and servant were about the same
size; the clothing Of one fitted the other
to perfection.
"There's no other plan" said the SER
want to himself; "it'S awful risky, but I'll
try it,
Hastily throwing off his clothing, he
donned his masters regimcntals-the
splendid uniform Of the artillery, buckled
on the sword, drew the heavy-busby over
his brows, and casting an admiring look
at himself in the glass, notwithstanding his
anxiety, locked the door upon his master
and went out. The orderly was waiting
in the barrack guard room and turned out
with the guard to present himself
60 head!" said the psuedo officer
(Which guard first, sir!''
The magazine guard"
The orderly led the way. Guard aftel
guard was visited, and the servant began
to enjoy the masquerade. 1t was some
thing unusual for him to be announced as
grand rounds" and to have II guard
| lIItStlJ 'tl iiIo W ullls IltiS NstS NJ ouG-
picion that the master and the manshad
changed places for the time being, although
the subaltern officer in charge of the main
guard perhaps felt somewhat annoyed tc
have his friendly salutation, after the
guard had been turned in, responded TO st
roughly.
On returning to the quarters the servant
found his mastcr still sleeping. Unable
to resist the desire to admire himself once
more in he glass, the servant paraded ur
and down the room, casting sdclong
glances ut the mirror. While SO doing the
officer awokc. lie was not littlcsa surprised
to see what appeared to be himself march
ing up and down the room. lie soor
discovered, however, that the apparltor
was his servant, and anxious to know
what the unusual masquerade was for KEEP
quiet. The servant after two or three
turns sat down and leisurely drew off tho
spurrcd boots, divcsted himself of otho
articles of uniform in their order, and
then, hcaving a sigh said
"Its ID well over"
Il should think it was,' cried the officer
"what dye mean, you rascal, by putting
yourself in my uniform, eh?'
81 didn't know you were awake, sir; do
you know what time it is?"
The officer had forgotten that he was OF
duty, but now it flashed upon him 1T once
Jumping from the bed he looked ut hi.
watch.
"IIalf past four, My God, I'm ruined!'
Then turning to the servant he said:
Now, then, why didn't you call me Il
one o'clock? Do you know what you've
done?n
"Sir,I might as well have tried to awak
en- n dead man. used every means t.
awaken you, and you see by the stains ol
your linen that even delugcd your bca
with water"
"roo late to take the guards now groan
ed the officer; the night has passed ava.
and the day is breaking"
Never mind, sir! Cheer up! Th
grand rounds visited the guards; ever
thing is correct. Just make out your re
port as if you had taken the guards"
"What dye mean?"
II mean that l have been the gran
rounds tonight, and acted the part S
well that not II soul suspected but that
was not you. Now you know why | ha
on your uniform"
| 1 uc OlllCCl SlitICu III LIS IllttH IL moment
"Do you mean to say that you hay
personated me and taken the guardso"
"Yes, sir; that's it. personatcd you
The officer grasped the servants hand
"Ashton," said he you have done me
great service tonight. | shan't forget il
4 Nor did he forget it, and the servan
Z kept his counsel so well that the inciden
l would never have become known but 70
the officer himself, who blurted it out on
: evening while in his cups to some of hi
associates. The story was too good Il on
!, to keep, and it quickly spread over tn
garrison. The military authorities, how
, ever, paid no regard to it. and the office
did not suffer from the expose.