Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-07-03
The Sentinel

Just after the Franco russian war, the
Adjutant- Major of a certain corps din
fanterie, in order to test new sentry
who had been placed upon a responsible
post, approached, and affecting to have
forgotten the word, at length, by means
of threats prevailed upon the ignorant
soldier to allow him to pass without CIV
ing the word This he Immediately re-
ported, the result being that the poor
young fellow was sentenced to be shot,
this decision fortunately being committed
to Punishment to- Algeria by influence
brought to bear from high quarters
This adjutant-major at length met with
well-merited rebuff, as the following
narrative, the dialogue of which we give
in English, shows:
Finding newly joined man placed on
similar duty, he determined to repeat
his former experiment. Fortunately,
however, the sentine had been warned By
his comrades, and was resolved not to be
-witted.
AS the night wore on, he observed the
officer approaching alone, lantern in
hand, and at once challenged:
"Who goes there?'
"Oficer of the guard, at once came the
response.
"Approach to the word, officer of the
guard" continued the sentry.
The officer, approaching, said: "I've
forgotten the word, and you must let me
finish my rounds without it.
But fOrewarned, the only reply made
by the sentry was: ''The word! Stand
back or | fire''
81 have forgotten the word, tell you,"
persisted the officer.
"Can't pass without the word" was
the only answer made by the sentry, as he
kept him at bayonet's point
ssYou know me perfectly well" insisted
the officer, in tone of chagrin. 81 am
your officer-your adjutant."
Il 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 pun
ished for thus OBTAINING me from my
duty"
So saying, the officer seized held of the
bayonet, and endeavored to force his way
past
"stand back!i'' drew away his bayonet
and made as If to charge the officer
Stepping back, the officer drew his
sword and came on again, but was in
stantly disarmed by the sentinel. Selling
hold of the rifle, he next endeavored to
wrest it from the sentry's grasp.
The sentinel, being new to the corps,
and knowing perfectly who his opponent
was, refrained from firing, not knowing
what the consequences might be of firing
on his superior, even though the pass had
been refused. In the struggle, however,
the rifle went off, and the bullet whizzed
past the officers ear, carrying with 1t a
piece of his head-dress.
Half-stunned and utterly confused by
this unexpected turn of affairs, the officer
lost his presence Of mind and actually
took TO his heels, and without rejecting
on the probable consequences of his act
he reported the fact of his being fired on
by the sentry, who was Immediately
marched off to the guard-room as pris
Oner.
Next morning court-martial was con-
vened, and the sentry, after having been
charged with firing on his superior, was
asked what defense he had to make. In
few simple words he explained that he
had been placed on duty at a certain spot
| with strict orders not to allow any one 10
pass without giving the countersign; that
an officer whom he now recognized to be
| JQc dU luLduG Ildu CuCcdNOI " lOICC pdoo
without giving the word, and on being
prevented, had seized his rife, which had
gone off by accident.
The adjutant-major on being interTo
gated, could not but admit the truth of
his statement, and the Colonel, severe
but just disciplinarian, amid the cheers
of those present, gave judgment as fol-
| lows:
''The adjutant Will remain in his quar-
| tiers during the next eight days, having
unnecessarily endeavored to cause pri-
| vate 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 equivalent to eight days i'm
prisonment for the officer and to the
highest raise given to privates, the entry
in the ordres du jour being read to the
assembled regiment at each morning par
AIDE as follows: "Monsieur lie Colonel
compliments Private D. on the jealous
performance of his duty under the most
trying circumstances.
This public rebuke to the officer had a
salutary effect. However, to his credit
be it said, he never attempted in any way
to modest the sentry for his share in the
affair