Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1894-06-09
MARY'S SOLDIER.

MARY'S SOLDIER.
Speaking of court martial" said my
friend the general. II recollect one
which terminated more pleasantly, and
yet IL was narrow squeak for the poor
fellow
tell me about it," urged as the
man brought ms our coffee and cigars.
do you know what In front of the
enemy means in military parlanceg' he
asked thoughtfully as he hecked away
the first ash.
"Why, suppose in front Of the en-
envy 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 n regiment raised here in New
York during the rebellion, as soon as 1t
had been sworn in. was in front of the
enemy
Precisely. And thereby hangs q
HMxlte.
1T gave carpet knights chance for
pensions. | reflected. "but it must have
caused some cruel MISUNDERSTANDING. ("
Not ut ALL The articles Of war
are explicit. and If there's one thing
drummed into q 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 yonl''
You inst ought TO hear mel But to
my story: At one time during the lat
ter part Of the war was stationed here
In New York. detailed as inspector gem
eral 10 raise a brigade. | had been sue
cessfnl, and my camp of instruction
contained fair material. IL was few
miles distant ON foreign soil"
aWhatf'
Yes, in Jersey. One afternoon. while
was resting in my quarters after the
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
inpended.s
.sHi.t s-es tho reasan.'
s.There's no reason for disobedience in
the service: yet | admit TO You there
was an excuse. had seen cause for
trouble for some time, and had striven
TO a.crt il. The pay was in arrears
through some red tape delay. The men
were poor and their families were suf.
fering."
no wonder"
There should BIO wonder" my friend
the general sternly interrupted. These
nien had sworn allegiance 10 the flag;
yet ere the words had fairly died away
were In open revolt. No wonder, in
deedi Well. | assure you I was in Q
precious funk. Did you ever see a
inoby Nor Then you have missed the
most awful manifestation Of cruelty,
cowardice. brutality. diabolism which
the imagination can picture. believe
that mObs become infected with mad
ness: otherwise I would believe that
man Is degenerate beast. Well, q mob
81 soldiery is of all the worst. The
stricter the discipline the more uncon-
trolled the reaction. Besides, bloodshed
Ia an habituated idea. One shot. and the
devil drives But had TO CO."
..0f course you went A man Of your
acknowledged daring"
tut. tut, The brayest often fear the
most. They don't show it, though, and
! didn't. But it seemed the forlornest
of hopes. dressed myself carefully in
fulluniform. Why? Because an officer
who expects Obedience must first com
inand respect. II he wishes his soldiers
TO be orderly he must set the example,
for no men are more critical or initiative.
! FASTENED over tho ferry and soon
reached the high board fence which en-
eircled the encampment. Prom within
came q confused rumble like the portent
81 storm. approached the wicket.
Il was locked peered through the
lattice. There was the sentry, sure
enough; but with what q differencel
Ills 1nusket leaned against post. He
snllenly slouched up and down, with
hasada la pockets. In no ways needing my
presence. ] would like 10 have shot that
man. but was bound and braced with
sslf control.
asAttsnfioDf | comma2ded sharply.
The man stared. then Strengthened,
zsized his musket. presented and stood
- . soldier
Open that gafey
lie oheyed at once. and l passed
through and marched quickly forward.
All over tbs field we're knots Of men
shouting. gestinulating, Glercefy har-
rangning. Here and there were a few
nfheers arguing and pleading in vain.
The majority, however. sat detected
within their tents. II was a most dis
'rezzins sight for true soldier.
Il approached tbs first group Of about
I'D frenxied men. i captain was Just
|faviu8 th<zn, pursued b taunts and