The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-03-06
CAPTAIN HEADS COMPANY.

.
Severe But Necessary Discipline Brings
Them into Proper Subsection.
Young Captain Head was in great
perplexity and trouble. In fact, he
looked utterly bowed down with the
weight of care that was resting upon
him. At quite an early age he had en-
listed as a soldier in a great army,
promising to be faithful and true, to
fight manfully under the banner he
bore, and ever to uphold the honor of
the Great Commander whose cause he
served
But Captain Head had not sufficient
| ly weighed the difficulties to be met,
when with fervent, glowing heart he
enrolled himself in this great army; he
had thought much of the glory of a
conqueror, but he had little counted
the responsibility and vigilance that
would devolve upon him during the
long warfare, and when he remembered
that he had enlisted for life, he was
sometimes utterly cast down.
1t was true, he often had troubles of
his own, difficult, important work to
perform, that often made him ache with
| feverish WEAKNESS; but, as he admitted
to himself, these trials were as nothing
compared to those brought upon him
| by his unruly soldiers, especially by his
young officers, who were far more pre-
sumptuous and rebellious than those
whom they should have helped him
govern.
Now, there were the two young
guardsmen belonging to the light in
fantry, two brothers, bright and intel
ligent, bearing the singular name of
Eyes. No sooner were they given some
special duty to perform than instead of
faithfully attending to it, there they
were straying off in every direction,
looking after things that had best been
left alone, and prying into everybody's
business but their own.
Then there were two other brothers
| by the name of Ears, quick and ever on
the alert, whom the Captain had
chosen as special sentries to stand
guard on either side of the camp to
listen for the first sound of approach
ing danger, and to hear all that could
be learned for the good of the army.
Yet no sooner were they stationed at
their posts, than instead of listening
for danger signals, or useful news,
they were giving all their attention to
some silly story of gossip, or, perhaps,
worse still, to. some wicked scandal OF
others, or even to some impure joke.
Then there was the Adiutant, little
fellow, it is true, yet quick and active
in his movements, but verify the most
unruly member of the Captains com.
pany. This was Adjutant Tongue, APP.
pointed to carry his commanders or
ders, and to speak for him on all occa
sions, delivering messages of advice
warning or encouragement. What was
the Captains modification often tC
hear this spry young officer pouring
forth perfect vOlley of abuse on some
companion, raving loudly in passion
or worse than all, sometimes utterins
words chat for hours afterward filled
Captain Head with shame.
Then there were two Lieutenants
two cousins bearing the name of Hands
1t is true, they had under their charge
/. quite a number of stupid young pri
Yates to drill and keep in order; bu
! this should only have made them tn,
more serious. On the contrary, how
. ever, half the time, when detailed t,
! ] lead off on some necessary work or &C
ton, instead of doing so, the Who'll
party would be found engaged il
something else, having either forgotten
= the duty assigned them, or perhaps re
7. belliously idle and Indifferent.
Then there were two others, CorpoI
> al Foot and his brother, most necessar
: and useful officers, and surely not S
handsome or high in Office as to be al
!, ilicted with vanity; yet for some unaC
y cOuntable reason, they were the mos
T restless, most unreliable of the CAY
Q tain's troop. Never contented, evel
Il lastingly wanting to march when tn
q order was to halt, to stand still or la
o behind when the order came to marcl
D and when least expected, actually a
suming command and leading tn
whole company off in some directio
h wholly contrary to orders, and brin9
d ING Captain Head into disgrace and
@ receive a reprimand from his super
IT ors. Truly he sometimes felt incline
o to hang himself for shame!
k But the Captain was beginning
g wake up to the serious Importance
1t this state of affairs; surely he must
% somewhat to blame as a commando
i for such disorderly conduct among h
,. own soldiers. Perhaps he had beC