The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1892-09-24
MARY'S SOLDIER.
The Generals Story of How He
Escaped Sentence.

inc 1eucrdiS OtOry Vi 0OW o0
Escaped Sentence.
Speaking of court martial" said my
friend, the general, II recollect one
which terminated more pleasantly,
and yet it vas a narrow escape for the
poor fellow"
Tell me about it, urged, as the
man brought us our coffee and cigars.
do you know what In front of the
enemy means in military parlance?'
he asked, thoughtfully, as he fecked
away the first ash.
why, ! suppose in front of the
enemy means-in front of the enemy"
"Sapient youth. In time of actual
warfare all troops as loon as they have
been mustered into service are in front
of the enemy"
"When they get there?"
"No, at once"
Then a 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
ut gave carpet knights a chance for
pensions" | reflected; but il must
have caused some cruel misunderstand-
ings."
Not at all. The articles of war are
explicit, and if there's one thing
drummed into 4 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 you??"
"iou 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 a brigade. | had been
successful, and my camp of instruction
contained fair material. 1t was a few
miles distant on foreign soil"
What
Yes, in Jersey. One afternoon, while
was resting in my quarters after the
fatigues of n hot day, an orderly
brought me the unpleasant tidings that
my camp was in an uproar. The men
refused to obey orders, and open vio-
lence impended."
"ldt NdS tuo TtdSOn. |
There's no reason for disobedience
in the services. yet, j admit to you,
there was an excuse. l had seen cause
of 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."
"Of course You went A man OF your ,
acknowledged daring"
Tut, tut. The bravest often fear
the most. They don't show it, though;
and | { didn't. But it seemed the for
lorncst of hopes. / dressed myself
carefully in full uniform. Why? Be
cause an officer who expects obedience
must first command respect. II ne
wishes his soldiers to be soldierly he
must set the example, for no men are
more critical or initiative. l fastened
owe the ferry and soon reached the
high board fence which encircled the
encampment. From within came a
confused rumble like the portent of a
storm. 1 approached the wicket. II
was locked. 1 peered through the lat
tice. There was the sentry, sure
enough; but with what q difference,
His musket leaned against a post He
sullenly slouched up and down, with
hands in pockets, in nc wise needing
nv presence. / would like to have shot
that man, but l was bound and braced
with self control.
Attention. commanded, sharply.
The man started, then Strengthened,
seized his musket, presented, and stood
us a soldier.
"tOpen that gater
'He obeyed at once, and / passed
through and marched quickly forward.
All over the field were knots of men.
shouting, ge~sticulating, iercely ha-
ranguing. Here and there were a few
officers arguing and pleading in vain.
The majority, however, sat detected
within their tents. 1t was a most dis
tressing sight for a true soldier.
Il approached the first group of
about two hundred frenzicd men. A
captain was just leaving them, pur-
sued by taunts and jeers. lie was an
insignificant man, with a repulsive
face; naturally pompous in bearing,
but nov thoroughly cowed. Yet as he
sa w me he assumed q certain uneasy
bravado.
Capt. johnson, at your service, SIR
he announced as he saluted.
"'What does this mean?' / asked.
They are fiends incarnate, gen.
eral,' lie exclaimed, as he glanced over
his shoulder. They will murder us all
and ravage the town. Oh, what shall
you do?'
81 shall form the men,
Impossible. Why, that's just what
I've been trying; but
"'Silence, sir
"As / reached the mob I noticed one
face alone which expressed respect or
sympathy. All others pore q look of
malevolence. A young soldier well set
up and s~crupulously neat, seemed to be
attempting TO dissuade his comrades
from some mad project. He was a fine
looking fellow, with n long, light mus
tache and bright. blue eyes, from
which, as l say, / caught a flash of adj
miration.
Il drew my sword and stood upright
and motionless before the men.
Attention, men! Fall inr l COM
manded.
There was a hesitation, a momen-
tary huddling together, then they ar
rayed themselves 4,
Present arms! Carry arms! Order
arms. Parade rest!' I ordered, and they
obeyes.
..Benind me stood a knot of wonder
ing officers
How do you dareg l began. Then
arose a growl from the ranks. We
want our rights Well get them, too.
We demand our pay. We won't stand =,
such treatment Our wives, our chill
dreu are starving