The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1883-05-06
The Sentinel.


/ war the adjutant-major of a certain
| corps a. t1ltanterie, IN order to test
a new sentry, who had been placed
upon responsible post, approached,
and affecting to have forgotten the
word, at length, by means of
threats, prevailed on the ignorant
soldier to allow him to pass with
out giving the word. This he i'm
mediately reported, the result being
that the poor young fellow was SEN
fenced to be shot, this decision for
tunatelY being committed to ban
lshment to Algeria by influence
brought to bear from high quarters.
This adjHtant-major at length met
with a Well-merited rebuff, as the
following narrative-the dialogue
of which we give in Eng
lish-shows. Finding newly
Joined man placed on similar duty,
he determined to repeat his former
experiment. Fortunately, however,
the sentry had already been warned
by his comrades, and was resolved
not to be outWitted. AS the night
wore on he observed the officer ap-
preaching alone, lantern in hand,
and at once challenged: "Who goes
there ?" "Oficer Of the guardP' at
once came the response. ''ApprOach
to the word, officer of the guard"
continued the sentry. The officer,
approaching, said: 81 have forgotten
the word, and you must let me finish
my round without it" But fore
warned, the only reply made by the
sentry was: "The word Stand back,
or l fire." 81 have forgotten the
word, 1 tell you," persisted the Off
Ger. Cant pass without the word"
was the only answer made by the
sentry, as he kept him at bayonet's
point. "You know me perfectly"
insisted the officer in tone of
chagrin. Il am your Oficer-your
adiutant." 81 don't know you.
Keep back, or fire." was the only
reply youchsafed him. s'You dare
not fire on your superior; and as it
| is, 1 will have you severely pun
| ished for thus OBTAINING me from my
duty" So saying, the officer seized
/ hold of the bayonet aud endeaVored
! to force his way past. The sentry,
once again shouting, "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 the sentry. Selling
hold of the muzzle of the rifle, he
next endeavored to Wrest it from
the sentry's grasp. The sentry,
being new to the corps, and
knowing perfectly who his oppo-
nent was. refrained from firing, not
knowing what the consequences
might be of firing on his superior,
even though the pass had been re-
fused. In the struggle, however,
the rifle went off, and the bullet
Whizzed past the officers ear, carry
ing with it 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 a
prisoner. Next morning a courtmar-
tial convened, and the sentry, after
having been charged with firing on
his superior, was asked what de.
Tense he had to make. In a few
simple words he explained that he
had been placed on duty at a certain
spot, with strict orders not to allow
any one to pass without giving the
counterslgn; that an officer
whom he now recognized to bt
the adjutant, had endeavored tt
force past without giving the word
and on being prevented had seized
his rifle, which had gone off by acci
dent. The adjutant-major, on being
Intercepted, could not but admit
the truth of this statement. and tht
colonel, a severe but just discipline
rlan, amid the cheers of those pre-
sent, gave judgment as follows
"The adjutant will remain in his
quarters during the next eight days
having unnecessarily endeavored t.
cause a private to perform a breach
of duty. The name of Private D.
Will be entered on the orolres du j0asr
and remain there during the same
period. This was equivalent tt
eight days Imprisonment for The
officer and to the highest praise
Z J given to DFiVateg the aDt,,v, = a.