The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1883-05-03


Democrat.
The reorganization of the Confederate
armies, which took place in the spring
of 1882, was a wonderful illustration OF
the self reliance of the Confederate SOL
der.
/ In one day in every Confederate regi-
ment and company re election of Off
! GERS was held!
! On that day the Army of Northern
| Virginia, about 10000 electives. under
Gen. Joe Johnston. confronted McClel-
lan's Army of the Potomac at Manassas,
regard, less than 10000 electives, was
confronted by Halleck's army, stated by
him to be 100, 1000 effectives.
In one day every field and company
officer throughout the Confederate
armies was either reelected or relegated
| to the ranks.
Those general officers who had been
professional soldiers watched with bated
breath the issue of this extreme test of
Democratic principle in an army.
| In many instances the officers who had
been dutiiul were reelected Oltentimes,
demagogue who had been canvassng
| against his Colonel or his Captain dis
placed him. But to our infinite relief
the result made no change in the elf
| cheney of the troops. Their greatest vic
tories were won after this
How to temper and adjust the sharp
penalties of the articles of war and of
the army was very difficult problem.
No court.martiai, organized as all such
courts had been, could effectively main.
tain the discipline of our armies.
Therefore the Coniederacy established
a new sort Of military courts which gave
us great advantage in maintaining discip-
line.
In those days most of the lawyers of
the South fell into the Confederate
ranks. Our President selected from,
them the members of our military courts.
Every court was made up Of three mem
bers and d judge advocate. The three
judges were ranked and paid as colonels.
The judge advocate as captain. All
were lawyers of well know ability.
Every army corps had such court.
Every department had one or more, and
for the first time in the history of armies
military law was administered according
to law and justice.
The military court of the Department
OF the Gulf was composed Of Col. Tom,
judge and once Chief Justice of Ala.
bama Judge Douglass, of Florida, and
Attorney General Andrew S. Heron, of
Louisiana, Capt. EImore Fitzpatrick, of
"A Alabama. was judge advocate.
These were all men Of eminent profess.
ional attainments and of the highest per-
sonal character.
They were not only lawyers Of eminent
ability, but had served rs soldiers in the
war. They wisely tempered military
justice with mercy to our Confederate
volunteers. But one military execution
by shooting was ever caused by that
court.
When, under the law, tho court was
compelled to pronounce the death pen.
atty, 1t sentenced the prisoner, but
stated the mitigating reasons for the
commanding generals clemency, and the
condaliiied mali WAS sent to the "Battal-
ion nr Correction" for the war or n spec
itied period.
The Battalion of Correction of Mobile
was the creation of Col. Jules Dennis,
provost marshal of Mobile, an officer OF
ability and devotion.
a large cotton warehouse was conver-
ted into military barracks and prison,
with ample accommodations for the bat
talon, which he organized into compa.
nies, selecting the officers from the many
whose companies had by that t;mc been
broken up.
Major Bob Harris, formerly of the
Tiger Rifles" was appointed to com
mand the battalion, and in short time
nc body Q! troops i'll the army WAS in
more exact discipline, mono had better
quarters, and no laborers Oh the fortif.
cations iabored more efficiently than
Harris Battalion. Many of these men
i; 81 hesS. .-.,nHap, al D., kn sbot n, <1o,o.
ters, but were instead sent to this battal-
ion "fOr the war"
Good conduct and the recommends
ton Of their officers returned them, after
due service, to their companies and 40
venial was the crime of desertion in their
estimate that but little stigma followed
them, unless cowardice had been the mo.
tive of the crime.
In 1864 mutiny Of serious proper.
tions and objects was developed in bat
talon on picket near Pensacola.
The commanding officer, very reso.
Lutte man, had been warned he overpow-
cred the mutineers, and sent 86 of them
in irons to Mobile. They we're all tried
and sentenced to be shot, but by the
mercy of the court, were sent to the Bat.
TALON of Correction. They vero
eleventh hour men," who had been
forced out by the conscription. They
had never understood secession. To
them it was "a rich mans war and q
poor mans fight" They never approved
Of fighting. Their mothers, aud their
sweethearts, and their wives were appeal
ing to them to come home. They had
never fought any body, and did not want,
nor intend to fight. In fact, they be.
ionged to "peace society,"" which had
been, by that time, organized in both
armies. They were all sent to the more
congenial service, with the pick and the
| spade, and became useful members of
the Battalion of Correction, where they
served we'll till the end of the war.
Once on occasion OF raid on Mobile,
this battalion was armed and put upon
the works. Their conduct was excellent
aud they were all pardoned and sent back
to their proper companies. When Gen.
Forrest came to Memphis, he was much
impressed by this battalion. When he
saw them working OH the defenses he
said 10 the General commanding /:
Shooting don't do my men a bit of
good. They would rather die sny time
than work, especially on these Nobel
works, and as soon as l get back I'll
send you some recruits for your Battal-
ion Of Correction"
Two days later came telegram from
Forrest, ~ send you 200 recruits for your
Battalion of Correction"
"A newly-married Detroit clergyman
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