The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1889-07-26
WHY SOLDIERS DESERT.
LIonr rHRows ON THE sUBJEor ny AN
Ex-pRlvATE, q. 8. A.
TYRANNY AND BRUTALITY or PETTY OF
FIoERs--INHUMAN PUNISHMENT AID
mNIsTERED TO A RECRUIT WHO
REFUSED TO CLEAN SPIT
Topp-uta uEyrNar

FIcERs--INHUMAN PUNISHMENT AD-
MINIsTERED TO RECRUIT WHO
REFUSED TO CLEAN SPIT
Toon--His REVENGE.
II is an undisputed fact that the alb
use of the power held by non.commis-
stoned officers of our army tends in a
great measure 10 cause men to desert
who would otherwise be content to
remain permanently in the service.
The following short story will perhaps
better Illustrate my meaning; In the
fall of 49, ] was stationed at west.
ern post garrisoned by cavalry and in
fantry. At the time | was acting post
sergeant major, and my duties requir-
ed me to verify the descriptive and
transfer rolls of every recruit forward
ed to our camp. In this way became
personally acquainted with every man
in the post and his antecedents. l had
been some eight months in the per-
formance of this duty when chap,
whose real name | shall not mention,
but who was at once nicknamed by the
soldiers Calamity" arrived from the
West Point cavalry detachment and
was assigned to duty with K troop of
my regiment. ----------...----
Calamity was a modest appearing
young fellow, who had evidently seen
better days, and who to my mind had
unmistakably missed his vocation in
becoming soldier. The first sergeant
of Il troop was deserter from a Prus-
sian Uhlan regiment, and among the
soldiers of 'sours' wss known as Slim
burger" He was a fine appearing
man and fairly we'll drilled soldier.
Owing, however, to his overbearing
manner to enlisted men generally, he
was regarded as downright nuisance
in the camp No less than sixty men
had deserted from his troop alone dur
ing the year, and such was bis reputa-
tion as q tyrant at the st. Louis depot
that recruits upon learning that they
were TO Join his command jumped
from the train or deserted at some one
of the stopping places on their way
west.
TIED UP BY THE THUMBS.
Calamity had been just two days IN
camp when he incurred the Ill will of
>Limburger by objecting to clean out
the iatter's spittoon. There is no law
or regulation In the army sanctioning
the employment as a servant OF any
enlisted man save in the case of an Of
icer, the latter usu,lly paying for such
services. A non-commissioned officer
under no circumstances is allowed a
servant.
The sergeant was furious over the
refusal of Calamity to obey his unlaw-
full order, and without further ado di.
rected that Calamity be tied up by the
thumbs. In those days che first
sergeant and the sergeapts of the
guard could do pretty much as they
pleased with priyates who disobeyed
their orders or who were IN any way
insubordinate. Such punishments as
tying mp by the thumbs, .bucking and
gagging, carrying and standing on a
barrel were then recognized in the
army and inflicted by subalterns at
their pleasure.
There is no torture ever invented by
man that can surpass in cruelty that of
suspension by the thumbs. Calamity,
after being seized by corporal, was
ordered to mount box; his thumbs
were crossed and securely lashed with
stout cord. The end of the latter
was then thrown over a beam and he
was hoisted up until his body rested
upon his tip toes. The rope being
now secured to a ring bolt in the wall
the box was kicked from beneath the
poor wretch and his form dangled in
mid air slowly revolving with the
twist of the rope, his entire weight
resting on his thumbs. For some
moments Calamity remained perfectly
quiet when suddenly he gave vent to
most despairing yell. His unearthly
shrieks could now be plainly heard at
the distance of mile. t-..
OF a sudden the shrieks became
fainter, and when the sergeant of the
guard and officer of the day reached
the guard house It was found that the
prisoner had swooned. The body was
Immediately cut down, the surgeon
hurriedly sent for and the man order
ed to the hospital. Not one word OF
disapproval of Limburgers action in
this affair was uttered by his troop
commander, who dismissed the matter
when reported to him by savagely re-
marking that it would be fine lesson
in discipline for the beggar, meaning
Calamity.
THE WORM TURNS.
After his recovery he made a brave
effort to spruce up and soon became a
fairly expert horseman and quite pro
ficient in drill He admitted to me
that he really liked soldering, and if
permitted meant to thereafter make
the army his home. In this ! encour-
aged him, at the time promising to oh.
tain him clerkship AZ the first oppor.
tunity. The man was now trying his
level best to please old Limburger, bu,
the latter was too pig headed to under.
stand his motives. Finally our regi
ment was ordered into the field against
Indians. The night before leaYine
camp every man was supplied with a
revolver and thirty rounds of csrtrid
ges. The company property was hast
lily packed in boxes and every man ex
erted himself to the utmost in his ef
forts to insure our speedy departure
on the morrow. Calamity had beer
selected by Limburger to do the dirty
work 10 the ORDERLY room, the former
unoomplainingly acting as he was told
just before tattoo a soufiling noise was
heard in the first sergeant's room, &C
companied by loud oaths, followed by
the rapid discharge of two revolver
shots. On repairing to the spot it va
found that Limburger had been sho
through the cheek and right hand
He wasitoo frightened at first to max,
known the name of his assailant, AM
tremblingly asserted that his end ha'
come, AT the hospital he explaine,
that he had ordered Calamity to max
up his bed for the nigh., and upon tn
latter refusing to act as his valet d
chambre he became angry and knock
ed the fellow down. .,. .....