The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-06-23
to DO studied, examined, learned and treat
ed without reference to any post consid-
Grafton. t,t5e ss5's-
THE SENTINEL.
A Military Martinel! Fooled, Falls In One Of
His Experiments on Sentry.

"A &3A1tAxy O8rt1u0ls = OAoOs = WAS IN O00 Oh
His Experiments ON = Sentry.
From Chambefs Journal. -
T. Just after the; Franco Prussian war the
adjutant>maj 81 ofa certain, corpsd fam
terie, in order to test new sentty, who had
been placed upon responsible post, ap-
and affecting to have forgotten
the word, at length by means Of threats,
prevailed upon the ignorant soldier to al
low him to pass without giving the word.
This he Immediately reported, the result
being that the! poor young fellow was SEN
fenced to be shot, this decision fortunate
" being committed to Punishment to Algeria
by influence brought to bear from high
quarters. This ,adjutant-major at length
met with a we'll merited rebuff, as the fol-
towing narrative-the dialogue of which we
give in English-shows. Finding newly
joined man placed on . similar duty, he
determined to repeat his former expert
ment. Fortunately, however, the sentry
had already been warned by his comrades,
and was resolved not to be outwitted. As
night wore on he observed the officer ap-
once challenged: who goes there?" of
Approach to the word, officer of the
fcer, approaching, said: Il have forgotten
the word, and you must let me finish my
round without it." But, forewaQed, the
only reply made by the sentry wis: THE
word! Stand back, or I fire." Il have
the officer. "Can't pass without the word, -
was the only answer made by the sentry,
as he kept him at bayonet's point. "You
1,,oxu mo ,1ovfonA1x, tho o<9Goo~ -,
a tone of chagrin. II am your officer
back, or fire, :" was the only reply vouch-
perior; and as it is, I will have you severely
punished for thus OBTAINING me from my
duty" So saying,th the officer seized hold Of
the bayonet, and endeavored to force his
way past. The sentry, once again
'Stand back!' 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 instantly disarmed by tina sentry. Seiz-
ing hold of the muzzle of the rifle, he next
erdeavored to wrest it from the sentry g
grasp. The sentry, being new to the corps.
and knowing perfectly who his opponent
was, RETAINED 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 it a
piece of his head dress. Half stunned d,
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 conse-
quences of his act he reported the fact of
his being fred on by the sentry, who was
Immediately marched off to the guard room
a prisoner. Next morning court martial
was convened. and the sentry, after 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 at certain
spot, with strict orders not to allow any
one to pass without giving the eountersign;
that an officer, whom he now recognized to
be the adjutant, had enderv6red to force
pass without giving the word: and
on being prevented had seized his rifle.
which had gone off by accident: The ad-
jutant- major, on being Intercepted, cotld
not but admit the truth OF this statement,
and the colonel, seve1e but just discip-
hnar;an, amid the cheers of those present.
gave judgment as follows: "The adjutant
will remain in his quarters during the next
eight days, having unnecessarily endeav-
ored to cause private to perform breach
of duty. The name of Private D~-will
be entered on the ordres du jour, and re-
main there during the same period" This
was equivalent 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 regi-
ment at each morning parade as follows:
Monsieur le Colonel compliments Private
Don the Jealous performance of duty
under the most trying circumstances. -
This public rebuke to the officer had sal
utary effect. However, to his credit be it
said, he never attempted in any way to mo-
lest the sentry for his share in the affair.