Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-04-08

racks laborer, threw some light on the
subject. Many years before, the col
onel of regiment which was about
to leave the town in order to embark
for India, place sentry on the spot
/ in order to prevent his men from
/ throwing over the cliff the rubbish
| that accumulates in changing quar-
/ ters; and the relieving regiment find
ing this man on duty, had supplied
his place without troubling themselves
about the why and wherefore; the
post became in consequence per-
manent institution, and a sentry
guards the wall to this day.
The next morning on which [ was
on guard was exceedingly cold and
frosty. The moon shone brightly,
throwing the dark shadow of the ad-
joining officers quarters half way
across the parade ground in front. In
valley beneath I could see distinctly
every gable and chimney of the houses
of the old-fashioned town that nestled
so costly in the hollow between the
precipitous cliffs. The moon was re-
ascted brightly in the ocean to the
south, and by it's light I could even
see the slittering bayonet of tie SEN
try who guarded the government
stores on the pier, a mile distant. Our
gallant soldiers on duty, however,
nave but little regard for the pictures
que ard like most men similarly sit
uated, was wearying for the termin-
alton of my two hours virgil, and lit
tie inclined to admire the surrounding
scenery. At length the clock struck
3, and was at once filled with feel.
ing of CHEEKY satisfaction at the i'm
mediate prospect of being relieved,
and returning to the warm guard
room and drinking a cup of hot coffee
before turning off to sleep.
| heard the sentry on the gate lusti-
~ shout Sentry go!" as summons
for the relief to turn out; and just as
I was preparing to take last turn on
my post, I perceived, at the extremity
of the shadow cast by the officers
quarters, ghostly figure in long
white robes, bearing in it's hand a
drawn sword. endeavored to shout
for assistance, but was so narrowed
with fear and wonder" that I was I'M
able to articulate a single word, but
stood perfectly transfxed staring at
the apparition. It moved slowly past
me; but when it turned round and
raised it's disengaged hand to it's white
head covering, as If in salute, it's as
pect so filled me with terror that be-
ing, as mentioned before, Of nerv-
GUS temperament, fell to the ground
and only recovered consciousness q
minute or two afterward. was Wig
orously shaken up by the sergeant Of
the guard.
| That noD-commissioned officer along
with the men of the relief, laughed
heartily when I described the fright [
had received, and remarked that I had
been dreaming. The sergeant, how
ever, performed the duty required of
him by the rules of discipline in a
most inexoriable fashion. He depriv
ed me of my arms and belts, and put
me in the prisoners quarters in the
guard-room.
Next day I was taken before the
commanding officer, a hot-headed
Welshman, whom I shall call Col.
Morgan, charged with having been
asleep on my post. To him I related
particulars Of the mysterious figure I
had seen; bat my statement, instead
of proving satisfactory excuse for
my ~ofense, as I hoped it would,
threw the worthy colonel into state
of great Indignation, and he at once
RENTED me for trial by court-mar-
tial.
On the third day after the sitting of
the court, I was informed that my
sentence would be promulgated at
forenoon parade. With a sinking
heart, heard the assembly" sounded
then the ''fall in" and shortly after
wards the band played merrily, as if
in mockery of my agitation.
Escorted by a file of the guard,
marched to the center of the hollow
square into which the regiment had
been formed, and the Adjutant read
my sentence, which was that I should
be imprisoned with hard labor for q
period of eighty-four days. Appended
to the confirmation of the proceedings
of the court martial by the GaneraI
commanding the district was a note to
the following effect: Considering the
J nature of the prisoners defense, which
! was calculated to excite an uneasy
feeling among the men of his regi-
ment, I consider the punishment in
ficted quite inadequate 10 the enormity
of his ofense.
The next day I was escorted, hand
cufed, to a military prison about six
miles distant, where, after having been
medically examined and weighed, I
was introduced to most select assem-
blage of erring brethren of the sword,
who were engaged in the most exhil-
ariating occupation of picking oakum,
alternatea with the agreeable muscu-
lar exercise of ''shot" drill.
The humilating and degrading stu
alton in which I found myself, through
DO fault of my own, made me,
naturally enough, deeply regret my
folly in having joined the army, and
excited within me many unpleasant
reflections on the good prospects in
civil life which [ had thrown to the
winds. Like Mickey Frees father, in
Lovers Charles O'Malley," I heartily
calculated: bad luck to the hand
that heald the hammer that struck the
shilling that listed mel"