Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-07-12
The Sentinel.

just AFTER the Franco-Prussian war the
Adjutant-Major Of certain corps d'infan-
terie, in order to test a new sentry. who
been placed upon responsible post, APP
preached. and affecting TO have forgotten
the word. at length. by means Of threats.
prevailed ON the ignorant soldier to allow
him to pass without giving the word.
This he Immediately reported. the result
being that the poor fellow was sentenced
to be shot. this decision fortunately he
committed to Punishment to Algeria, by
: influence brought to bear from high quar-
tiers. This Adjntanf- Major at length met
with well-merited rebuff. "a the follow
ing narrative-the dialogue of which we
give in English-shows. Finding a new
Iy joined man placed on a similar duty,
he determined to repeat his former 'ex
pertinent. Fortunately. however. the SEN
try had already been warned by his COM
rades. and was resolved not to be out
witted. As the night wore on he observed
the officer approaching alone, lantern in
hand. and at once challenged: WHO
goes there ?'' ''Ofiicer of the guard'' at
once came the response. "Approach to
the word. officer Of the guard" con-
tinued the sentry. The officer. approach
ing. said: Il have forgotten the word.
and you must let me finish nv round
without it, But iorewarned. the only
reply made by the sentry was: 1.-The
word! Stand back, or | fire. 81
have forgotten the word, tell you" per-
sisted the officer. Cant pass without
the word" was the only answer made by
the sentry. as he kept him at bayonets
point. lyon know me PERFECTLY" III am
your Of1icer-your Adjutant. ~ 81 don't
know you. Keep back, or ! fire." was
the only reply vouchsafed him. You
dare not fire on your superior; and as it
is. will have you severely punished for
thus OBTAINING me from my duty So
saving, the officer seized hold of the BAY
onet. and endeavored to force his way
past. The sentry again shouting: "Stand
back - drew away his bayonet and made
a. If to charge the officer Stepping
back, the officer drew his sword and
came on again. but was instantly disarmed
by the sentry. Selling hold Of the muz-
zle OF the rifle. he next endeavOred to
wrest it from the sentry's grasp. The
sentry, being new to the corps. and know
ing perfectly who his opponent was, re-
Trained from firing. not knowing what the |
consequence might be of firing on his SUI
perior, even though the pass had been re-
fused. In the struggle. however. the rifle
went of, and the bullet whizzed past the
officers ear. carrying with it piece of
his head -dress Half stunned, and utter
~ confused by this unexpected turn of at
fairs. the officer lost his presence of mind,
and actually took to his heels, and with
out rejecting on the probable consequence
Of his act he reported the fact of his being
fired on by the sentry. who
was Immediately marched off TO the
guard-room prisoner. Next morn
ing court-martal was convened,
and having been charged with firing on
his superior. was asked what defense he
had to make. In a few simple words he
explained that he had been placed on
duty Mt a certain spot, with strict orders
not to allow any one to pass without Civ
ing the countersign that an officer. whom
he now recognized to be the Adjutant,
had endeavored to pass without giving
the word, and on being prevented had
seized his rifle. which had gone off by ac-
cident. The Adiutant- Major. on being in
terrogated. could not but admit the truth |
of this statement. and the Colonel. a Sc
we're but just discipinarian. amid the cheers
ofthose present. gave judgment as fol-
lows; 1.-The Adiutant will remain in his
quarters during the next eight days. hav-
ing unnecessarily endeavored to cause
private to perform breach of duty. The
name of Private D. will be entered on !
the ordres du jour. and remain there dur.
ing the same period" This was equiva-
lent to eight days Imprisonment for the
officer and to the highest praise given to
privates. the entry in the ordres du jour
being read to the assembled regiment at
each morning parade as follows: ''Mon-
sieur lie Colonel compliments Private
Don the jealous performance of duty
under the most trying circumstances"
This public rehuke tn the officer had a sa-
lutary effect. However. to his credit be
it said. he never attempted in any way to
modest the sentry for his share in the af
fair.--Chambers' Journal.