Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-05-03

the punishment. Simultaneously with
'ne Puolcatlon of this order, another
was issued directing that all civilians
FOUND lingering in the camps should be
arrested and put to work. Before these
dismissed officers had been given an
opportunity to go North, they were put
under guard by direction Of the De-
Partment Commander, and set to the
DIRTY work Of policing the camp with
shovels and barrows. For three DAYS
they were kept at it, when their perse-
s Gator nad occasion to go beyond the
lines OF his department.. The General
VINO succeeded to the temporary COM
mand had looked on in indignant ST.
fence at this monstrous exhibition of
mliitary cruelty, and he determined
that ne would put stop to it. He
sent for the officers, gave them the
orders dismissing them, and told them
to lose no time in getting out of the de-
partment. When their prosecutor re-
turned he was very angry at what had
been done; but the humane General
whom he left in command had not in
the least exceeded his authority, and
the matter went no further.
Within the same department was
city with daily newspaper, the editor
OF which was Thought to be rather
"secesh, and was not always as careful
IN his utterances as prudence required.
An issue Of this paper was sent to
department. headquarters containing an
editorial criticising the military gov
eminent of the town, and censuring
the commanding general forirregulari-
ties of soldiers and camp-followers.
II was in my tent, said my inform
ant, the staff officer before mentioned,
"when another of the staff came in
with white face. sL-, for Gods
sake, come out herev he said. There's
q citizen here who has got to die
Il went with him. Near headquar-
tiers we found tine-looking young man
under guard, very agitated, but trying
hard to control his feelings.
1t is that editor was the explain
alton whispered to me. The General
sent and had him brought here, and
has ordered him to be put to work on
the earthworks.'
do you understand what that
meant? The earthworks were under
continual fire from the enemy's sharp
shooters; head could not appear
above them but it was made target.
More of the staff came around; we
consulted together; we wanted to go
and intercede for this man. But we
knew that no good would come of it.,
and none of us ventured it. The un-
happy victim was led away to his pun
ishment"
"What became of him ?" I asked.
II don't know" said L.. II never
had the heart to inquire"
From the city of New York came to
this army as chaplain of one of its regi-
ments the Rev. Mr.. H, clergy
man of fine abilities and pure life and
character. He was the author of a
standard commentary on Shakespeare.
This gentleman was so indiscreet as
| to commit an offense similar to that of
the citizen just referred to. He sent
| to a New York paper some stric-
lures upon the military operations of
the commanding general. The paper
came to headquarters; the author of
the offending letter was discovered.
He had subjected himself to punish
ment, but he had right, as an officer
and gentleman, to have it measured
out to him in an orderly way, accord
ing to army regulations.
That, however, would not suit the
revengeful nature of our department
commander. He sent q guard, sum-
marily arrested the Chaplain, and
thrust him into the bull-pen.
The civilian reader will need to have
it explained what the bull-pen was. It
was an Enclosure where were confined
the meanest and vilest characters in
the army. Deserters, thieves, bounty
jumpers swarmed there under guard.
The friends of Mr.. H in the reg
iment looked on with horror. They
went to headquarters and begged for
his release.
NO." said the General, with DELHI
crate emphasis; "I'll teach hin to crit
icise me in print. FL make an example
of him."
The Chaplain actually remained in
that vile place until the news of his
situation reached New York, and a
peremptory order was obtained from
the Secretary of War for his release
Chicago Ledger.
! Our New Years Breakfast.
| BY WI. v. BROWN.