Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1892-09-21
MARY'S SOLDIER.


friend the general, Il recollect one
which terminated more pleasantly, and
yet it was narrow squeak for the poor
fellow"
''Tell mo about it," l urged as the
man brought us our coffee and cigars.
''Do you know what In front of the
enemy means in military parlanceY he
asked thoughtfully as he fecked away
the first ash. !:
"Why, / suppose in front Of the en-
emy means-in front of the enemy"
"Sapient youth In time Of actual
warfare all troops as soon as they have
been mustered into service are in front
of the enemy"
"When they get thereY'
mo; at once"
''Then regiment raised here in New
York during the rebellion, as soon as it
had been sworn in, was in front of the
enemy"
Precisely. And thereby hangs a
tale"
SIT gave carpet knights chance for
pensions" reflected, "but it must have
caused some cruel misunderstanding.
''Not at all. The articles of war
are explicit, and if there's one thing
drummed into soldiers ears day in
and day out it's the articles of war;
They are his creed"
"Yet how many of us can repeat our
creed correctly? Can your"
"You just ought to hear me! But to
my story: At one time during the lat
ter part of the war was stationed here
in New York. detailed as inspector gen.
eral to raise brigade. had been Sue
cessful, and my camp of instruction
contained fair material. 1t was a few
miles distant on foreign SOIL"
"What!"
"Yes, in Jersey. One afternoon, whilo
was resting in my quarters after tho
fatigues of hot day, an orderly brought
me the unpleasant tidings that my
camp was in an uproar. The men re-
fused to obey orders. and open violence
impended."
"What was the reason?"
"There's no reason for disobedience In
the service; yet I admit to you there
was an excuse. 1 had seen cause for
trouble for some time, and had striven
to avert it. The pay was in arrears
through some red tape delay. The men
were poor and their families were suf-
fering."
"No wonder"
"There should be wonder" my friend
the general sternly interrupted. "These
men had sworn allegiance to the flag;
yet ere tho words had fairly died away
were in open revolt. No wonder, in
deed! Well, | assure you l was in a
precious funk. Did you ever sec
mob? No? Then you have missed tho
most awful manifestation of cruelty,
cowardice, brutality, diabolism which
the imagination can picture. believe
that mobs become infected with mad
ness; otherwise would believe that
man is q degenerate beast. Well, a mob
Of soldiery is OF all the worst. Tho
stricteT the discipline the more uncon-
trolled The reaction. Besides, bloodshed
is an habituated idea. One shot, and the
devil drives. But had to 60"
"Of course you went. A man of your
acknowledged daring"-
''Tut, tuti The brayest often fear the
most. They don't show it, though, and
didn't. But it seemed the forlornest
Of hopes. | dressed myself ,illy in
full uniform. Why? Beca, officer
who expects obedience must ...,t COM
mand respect. Ii he wishes his soldiers
to be orderly he must set the example,
for no men are more critical or initiative.
l hastened over the ferry and soon
reached the high board fence which en-
circled the encampmept. From within
came a confused rumble like tho portent
Of % storm. | approached the wicket.
1t was locked. l peered through tho
lattice. There was the sentry, sure
enough; bat with what u difference!
His 1nusket leaned against post He
sullenly slouched up and down, with
hands In pockets. in no ways needing my
presence. would like to have shot that
man, but was bound and braced with
self control.
Attention.! commanded sharply.
Tho man stared, then Strengthened,
seized his musket, presented and stood
as a soldier.
"'Open that gateT
"He obeyed at once, and / passed
through and marched quickly forward.
All over the field were knots of men
shouting, gesticulating, fercely har-
ranguing. Here and there were few
officers arguing and pleading In vain.
The majority, however, sat detected
within their tents. 1t was most dis
tressing sight for true soldier.
Il approached the first group of about
200 frenzied men. A captain was just
leaving them, pursued by taunts and
jeers. He was an insignificant man,
with arepulsive face; naturally pompous
in bearing, but now thoroughly cowed.
Yet as he saw me he assumed certain
uneasy bravado.
"tCaptain johnson, at your service,
SIR he announced as he saluted.
"'What does this meanr asked.
sThey are fends incarnate. generalp