New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-02
CHLOE'S JUG.
THE SECOND OF THE TRIBUNE'S STORIES
OF THE WAR.

nov SOLDIER EEvENGED HIMSELF UPoN
BRUTAL SERGEANT FOR COMPELLING
HIN TO VIOLATE HIS PROMISE
NOT TO DRINK.
Nv mother did not want me to go 70 the wal
was her only son, and but sixteen years CIV.
She said she would freely give me up if she could
think il had come to the point Were LONELY
womens only sons were needed to save te couh-
try but il had not come to that point yet
was wild 10 60 ! would stand and plead
and arcne by the hour but when she began 10
cry had 10 give il up. And she always began
to cry as | BEGAN to get the better OF the argu-
nent.
just after painful scene Of this kind came
rho news of the Battle of fredericksburg. IL
was terrible! Ten thousand of our brave boys
fallen and the army driven back. Tead all
about it aloud TO her and it made us both very
solemn. Presently the tears came into my eyes
and then into hers.
She laid her hand on my knee and said Inc
time las come for you TO 60. my boy. give
YOU 10 nv country" 1t may sound stited TO
repeat these words now, especially In tine ears VI
a younger generation, but to the memories Oh 'eis
of thousands OF gray haired men they VIII orlng
back a scene of sacrifice and parting-Oh. SO cruei'
enlisted the very next day. Before left
my mother, she asked me to,pledge her my word
of honor I would never taste drop of intoxicat-
ing LIQUOR. gave the promise IN TWO DAYS
more / was dressed in blue and belonged to Uncle
Sam.
had not been very long in the service before
had trouble about my promise not TO drink we
were in a highly malaral country in North caro-
lima and our force was about equally DIVIDED
between those whose blood seemed to be turning
10 ice-those who shaking with chiiis-aho
those who were burning with fever
Our regiment, though in this condition. was
nerforminc the arduous and important work OF
2 pckct duty. and every man of us had to be kept
braced7 artiicially a tonic, heavy WIN the
fumes Of alcohol, was served one morning. each
man being ordered to drink it. When the ser
reant picked it at me, refused 10 drink 1t ana
began 70 tell him about my temperance prlhcl-
PIES
silence" he beloved. Swallow tins az
once. or I'll have YOU tied up by the thumbs
till you beg for il
| told him he might do as he pleased about
that. but had given my word of honor and
couldn't break it, lie flashed out an order 10
have NE tied I'D and strobe with vast con-
tempt.
The corporal with whom ] had been left was
tbe most brutal human being | ever met lie
was an Epglislman and had seen service IN lndla-
where it appears, the officers amuse themselves
fogging the men. Reynolds had scars all over
his body where he had been logged and staDoed
and shot. and there nothing he enjoyed so
much as to furnish scars to other people. lie ana
/ were about opposite as two creatures with
similar attributes and organs could he. we IN
stinctively hated each other. When the sergeant
left me, grin spread over Reynolds race.
WELL he exclaimed. this ere is wot beats me
Last night ties q man up for bein' drunk, an
this mornin' | ties one up for keepin' sober.
This ere is wot I calls discipline! Now, then,
Won tow-headed little rat wet thinks you're SO
much better than the rest of us. come along
lie then tied my hands behind my back and
nassing a cord around my thumbs he put 1t
throurh a ring in post and drew me up until
nv toes lust touched the ground, and fastened
it there.
Now my little saint he said. I'll be around
in half an hour and we'll see how you feel then"
II any old soldier who reads this was ever
punished in this way. lie knows what | suffered
in that half hour, but no one else ever Will
] can quote in words no idea of the agony of hang
ing there II seemed q week, and believe was
nearly unconscious, when the corporal came with
a cup of water, and threw il in my face
40 ho, my pet he cried, gr1nhihg horribly.
How do you like il as far as you've got?'
For Gods sake. corporal, let me down. l
gasped.
"Narv-~a let down till We ask for the rum.
perhaps in another half hour you'll want it
morcn YOU do now" and he turned TO walk away
| could endure no Perhaps / wasn't
heroic enough for frst-class martyr, but had TO
give in. / feebly called him back.
PLEASE let me have it. corporal, and let me
down.
lie stood of and lccIcd at me and said. why,
wot will mamma say?"
How should have liked to kill him! But |
could only wish lie gave the rope twist, ana
fell in heap on the ground Then he fetched
q glass of whislley, and poured it down my throat