The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-08-28
AN ESCORT ADVENTURE
Which Turned out "Creditable to
the British Army"

Sergeant, you have been detailed to
proceed on escort with the prisoner Scales
/ would advise you to keep a sharp eye
upon him He is desperate character
and if he gets half chance, will endeavor
to give you the Slip" remarked our Ad-
jutant to me.
every good, sir" replied.
"Here is your paper" said the officer as
he handed me the warrant which bound
me, under severe penalties for non-fulil-
ment of its provisions, to take private
Jeremiah Scales dead or alive' to the
district military prison.
saluted the Adiutant and was turning
to leave, when the Colonel entered the
orderly-room.
''Good-morning Colonel" said the Ad-
jutant. This sergeant is going on Scales
escort, and | was just warning him to take
great sare of the rascal"
"Confound the fellow" grumbled the
Colonel. CATER all, it seems the scoundrel
is coming back to me. The cCNlrt-martial
that tried him-very properly, considering
his ntecedents-sentenced him to be dis
charged on the expiry of his term of inn
prisonment; and now the General, pre-
sumablv acting on superior instructions
RENTS the only part OF the punishment
that is likely to benefit the service.
During my twenty years. experience,
l have always found it the same in the
army. Last spring, for instance, during
the wholesale reduction that took place,
we had, perforce, to send away a number
of good men, infinitely better than this
blackguard. Now, the Franco Prussian
business comes on the boards and the au-
thorities at the Horse Guards are moving
creation to obtain recruits in order to get
the regiments up to full strength. Every
broken-down scarecrow in the kingdom is
being enlisted, atleast if may judge from
1Ae~ precious specimens sent up 70 me; Be
tial with regard to the discharge with ig-
nominy of the scum of the army are not
being given effect to. and the rascals are
allowed to remain in the service. Yes, SER
geant," resumed the commanding officer
addressing me, you've got a cut-throat
incorrigible BLACKBOARD to deal with; and
if you don't look out, he'll give you some
trouble.n
l then saluted the officers, and leaving
the orderly-room, retired to my quarters
to make a few preparations for my journey,
which was tramp of about eight miles
along the seacoast. These finished pro-
ceeded to the room of the private who was
detailed to accompany me, in order to have
a consultation with him on the subject
This man, Welshman, named Williams,
was a veteran whose period of service had
almost expired. He was, speaking liter
ally the hero of hundred tights;' his
experience of active service beginning
subsequently was engaged in Kaffirand
the Crimea, and in India during the sup
preston of the Mutiny, finishing with the
Abyssinian expedition, which took place
two years prior to the time of which |
write.
narrated to Williams the remarks of the
Colonel and the Adiutant regarding our
prisoner; but the veteran affected to treat
the matter very lightly. '1've had tougher
JOBS than this in my time, sergeant" he
a6A lad ei, Co.
ing. to his Snider: 'Just let him try to bolt.
and my word, he won't get very farp'
Inc prisoner Scales, was a repulsive
looking fellow of about twenty-five. He
was more 1.-the and active than a power
full man, but was nevertheless, by reason
of his brutal and vindictive disposition
the terror of all the peaceably disposed
men or tie corps. He had served in the
army for about three years, during which
period he was always in trouble On the
return of tho regiment from abroad he
came to us from the depot with an ex-
tremely bad character; and this evil repu-
tation he afterwards consistently main
tanned. AT the reduction of the army
referred to in the Colonel's remarks, the
services of Mr.. Scales would to a certainty
have been dispensed with had he not at the
time been deserter. Being apprehended
and brought back to the corps at the begin
nlng of tine scare occasioned by the dis
turbed relations of Prussia and France, he
ASSolNSu JWO lIlODbuS' imprisonment, and
was sent to his duty. Three days after his
release, an officers room was broken into
and all his valuables distracted; and in
TINS business it was supposed Scales was
implicated conformity with q comrade of
equally bad repute This private deserted
with the booty, and Scales was appre-
hended on suspicion and handed over to
the civil authorities; but he was liberated
owing to no sufficient evidence being forth |
coming to warrant his being sent to trial
on the charge His next feat was striking
non-commissoned officer, and for this of |
tense he was now sentenced to nine months |
Imprisonment; the further recommenda- |
ton by the court-martial for his dismissal
from the service with ignominy being re-
mitted by the General commanding the dis !
trict
No wonder that our worthy Colonel was
indignant at the prospect of having such a
charactersent back TO the regiment! Black |
guards of his description, in regard to the |
relation of soldiers with civilians, inyaria- |
bly, bring the regiments which have the |
misfortune TO own them into general dia- |
credit. The great majority of soldiers are
respectable and well-conducted men, and |
TO sGrE IL is very CALLING aud annoying to |
be subjected 10 a social ostracism as rigid, |
IN some cases, as that experienced by |
time-expired convict, because of the eX- |
cesses committed by disreputable minor |
ity OF their number: the civil community |
being addicted to the belief that all who |
wear the red coat are bad alike. 1t is to be |
regretted that the commanding officer Of a |
regiment has not the power of summarily |
dispensing with the services of an incor- |
rigible ruilian by having him kicked out of |
the ioarrack gate.
In the afternoon Williams and equipped |
An marching order, and provided each with |