Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-01-13
MILITARY MEN MUST OBEY.
Some Observations on This Line by an Old
Soldier.


RICHMOND, VA. January 9, 1895.
| Tt the Editor of the Dispatch:
Being an old soldier | am always In
teIested in military matters. and have
watched with much pride the growth ana
| bearing of the First Regiment and Blues
Battalion. of this city. / deeply depiore
| the present difficulties among tho OIL
| GERS of the regiment. and sincerely hope
they will soon be amicably settled. so
the command VIII become larger and
more popular and efficient than ev-r.
Peace at present Is only md!ntailed
throughout Europe by all the nations
there beins fully prepared for war, ana
1t may be hat peace reigns around uS
| row because We are ready 70 maintain
II by force If necessary. The young men
VINO compose the rank and file OF cur
military companies of to-day are the
sons of men who have been soldiers, and
they should know with how much PRIDE
We look upon them. IL has often been
asked: "Would these boys fight If or
dered into battle?" And our reply has
always been, Yes; for We know the
material they are mad" Of" But. Mr..
Editor. these youns men evidently do
not yet realize what are the duties OF
| soldiers. 'Inc!. nor 10 reason WY ;
theirs but to DO and die"
( In the opinion Of old soldiers. the non
| commissioned officers and p~rivatcs have
no richt to hold me- t.nS ard take ac-
ton against their officers. To 10 so IL
plainly mutiny. | am sure, though. no
such motive was intended in his case.
The remark CT one Of the privates, "
are not sheep 10 be Id by them 0he
officers; this is a free country. and We
like To think for ourselves" Is not the
idea Of a true soldier. When a man
enlists in n military company he vol
UNFAIRLY s~urr-ndcrs his freedom IN mill
tary matters. and promises TO Obey his
| officers. II the Officer Liunders tho pri-
vate is not responsible. When the cha. 90
was made ~ the Lieh, Brigade at Dtlls
| klava, the p.iyat-s knew some ole had
biundered. but they followed their OIL
| GERS without question into The Jaws Of
death. When Picketts men Were adj
vancinC at Gettysburg many private5
said: " lave been condemned to be
shot. and are only marching 70 certain
death" but they oNeyed their officers.
+! and followed them. In the win'cr Il
1864 General Lee det rmined TO send our
three %gunboats. then lying in James
river. down to Dutch Gap ard attack
the northern ~Eunboats. anchored Just be-
\ low. 10 20 tNlN Ou' UldtN hNhIi 4Af r
TO pass n small island III II. river
! near Drewry's Fluff, but the ene:ny's
batteries could sweep the whole island,
where they also had a small picket force.
which IL would ne necessary 10 capture
to prevent the discovery Of the plan.
One Of the Virginia regiments was then
in tho trenches near that place, and the
colonel was directed TO send a company
by night 70 the river with orders 10 set
in heats. silently drop down 10 the island.
land. and surprise and capture the small
force there. When this company arrived
at the river. and the object Of the eX-
petition leaked out the men said to obey
this order would result in certain death,
The non-cormissioned officers and pri-
Yates hela a consultation and decided 10
return 10 camp. This they proceeded u
do at once. Their officers begged tncnl
not TO return. tried 70 shame them. and
finally drew their swords and reyOlverc,
and threatened 10 cut down or shoot any
man who attempted to pass them. The
| men levciled their musksts. AMI the off,
, GERS let them pass. All hands returned
10 camp, and the company officer made
his report TO the colonel. He sprang up
in a rage. went out. ordered another
company ca Of his regiment to go 10
the river with him. This company i'm
ih'iIut''S lSIlhN'' ~ went L
quick to the place. The boats were there.
The colonel first stepped in. and every
man quickly followed. When ell was
ready, and the start was being made
a courier rode up with an Crl.r counter
handing the first order. Company y
then returned to camp. The next day
the whole regiment was ordered out. the
colonel highly complimented Company g..
and the regiment saluted ii. The ring
leaders of the mutirous company were
| carried to Pickett's headquarters. court.
martialled, and sentenced 20 be shot.
! The surrender at Appomattcx saved their
| lives.
AN OLD CONFEDERATE SERGEANT.