Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-07
SOLDIERS LIFE.
OuR VOLUNTEERS MUST TOE THE
MARK LIKE REGULARS.
GOVERNED BY ARTICLES OF WAR.
Many of the Requirements Are
Quitc Rigid-Numerous Offences Tor
which the Death Penalty May he
Imposed.

The volunteers who enlist In the Cnlted
States provisional army will be governed
Just as the soldiers In the regular army
are and will be required to do the same
duty. They will be absolutely under the
control of their officers. and for the
most trivial offence will render them
selves liable to punishment.
They will be governed by the Articles
of War of the United States, and within
six days after their enlistment they Will
be called upon to subscribe to the follow
ing oath or affirmation:
II, A. b., do solemnly swear that l viii
bear true faith and allegiance to the
United States of America; that 1 Will
serve them honestly and faithfully
against all enemies whomsoever; and that
1 will obey the orders of the President Of
the United States and the orders Of the
officers appointed over me, according to
the rules and articles Of war"
LAW GOVERNING ENLISTMENTS.
Great safeguards are thrown by the
War Department around the enlistment
of men, and heavy penalties are pro-
vided for officers who improperly or i'll
legally muster into the service of the
country men who should not be so mus
tered. After the man has been mustered
| into the service, however. he becomes
| creature of the government. He is practl-
| cally owned by the government, and until
| the time OF his discharge from the SER
vice. he must promptly and properly obey
all orders Of his superiors or suffer the
| gravest consequences OF his insupordina-
| ton or dereliction.
One of the first things the soldier must
learn is the proper care of the supplies
| entrusted to him. Punishment is pre-
scribed for any soldier who sells or will
fully or through neglect wastes the am
munition given him; or sells, or through
| neglect. loses or spoils his horse. arms,
clothing, or accoutrements.
RESPECT TO SUPERIORS.
One of the most important things re-
quired Of a soldier is proper respect to
his superior officer. One of the articles
of war prescribes that, ANY officer who
uses contemptuous or disrespectful words
against the President of the United
States, the Vice-President, the Congress
OF the United States, or the chief magis-
trate or legislature of any Of the United
States in which he is quartered, shall
be dismissed from the service or other
wise punished, as a court-martiai may
direct. Any soldier (meaning an enlisted
NAM who so offends shall be punished
as a court-martial may direct.
ANY officer or soldier who behaves
himself with disrespect toward his COM
handing officer shall be punished as
court-martial may direct"
Severe penalties are prescribed for any
officer or soldier who lifts his hand or
weapon against his superior officer and
equally severe penalties are provided
for any officer or enlisted man who sends
or accepts a challenge to fight a duel. or
is in any way party to such transac-
ton.
THE DEATH PENALTIES.
Punishment is prescribed for officers
and soldiers absenting themselves from
their posts without leave, and then come
the following articles providing for the
| administering of the death penalty.
Any officer who, by any means whatso-
ever, occasions false alarms in camp,
garrison, or quarters. shall suffer death.
or such other punishment as a court
martial may direct.
Any officer or soldier who misbehaves
himself before the enemy, runs away, or
shamefully abandons any fort, post, or
guard. which he is commanded TO defend,
or speaks words inducing others to do
the like, or casts away his arms or am
munition, or quits his post or colors to
plumber or pillage, shall suffer death or
such other punishment as court-mar-
tial may direct.
If any commander of any garrison,
fortress. or post is compelled by the off,
GERS and soldiers under his command, to
give up to the enemy or 10 abandon il,
the officers or soldiers so offending shall
suffer death, or such other punishment
as a court-martial may direct.
Any person belonging to the armies of
the United States who makes known the
watch word to any person not entitled
TO receive il, according to the rules and
discipline of war, or presumes TO give
parole or watchword different from that
which he received. shall suffer death or
such other punishment as court-mar-
tial may direct
Whosoever relieves the enemy with
money, victuals, or ammunition. or know
ingly harbors or protects an enemy. shall
suffer death, or such other punishment as
a cOurt-martial may direct.
Whosoever holds correspondence with,
or gives intelligence 10. the enemy, either
| directly or indirectly, shall suffer death,
or such other punishment as a court
martial may direct
Any officer or soldier who having re-
ceived pay, or having been duly enlisted
in the service of the United States. de-
serts the same, shall. in time of war. SUI
fer death. or such other punishment as a
court-martiai may direct; and in time Of
peace. any punishment, excepting death,
which a court-martial may direct.
PUNISHED AS A DESERTER.
Any officer who having rendered his
resignation. quits his post or proper du-
ties, without leave. and with intent 70
remain permanently absent therefrom
prior to due notice Of the acceptance of
the same, shall be deemed and punished
as a deserter
No nOn-commissioned officer or soldier
shall enlist himself in any other regi-
ment. troop. or company, without "A reg
ular discharge from the regiment. troop
| or company In which he last served, on
a penalty of being reputed deserter and
| suffering accordingly. And in case any
officer shall knowingly receive and en-
terrain such non-commissioned officer or
soldier or shall not after his being dis
| covered TO be a deserter Immediately
confine him and give notice thereof 10
the corps i'm which he last served, the
said officer shall, by "A court martial be
cashieTed.
ANY officer or soldier who advises or
persuades any other officer or soldier to
| desert the service OF the United States
shall, I'm time Of war. suffer death, or
such other punishment as court-mar.
tial may direct, and, In time OF peace,
any punishment, excepting death, which
a cOurt-martial may direct
Whosoeyer, belonging 10 the armies or
the United states I'm foreign parts, or at