Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-14
.yoruyTErRs, N TROUBLE.

A day or two ago at Camp Northen,
Griffin. Ga. the Republican Blues. of Sa-
vannah, were drawn up in line TO be mus
tered in. when. Just as the oath was about
to be administered, seven men stepped
out OF the ranks and announced their
purpose TO abandon the company.
This detection brought the number OF
men In the. Blues under the limit, and
thereupon the mastering officer stated
that he could not enlist the company
until its full complement had been Sc
cured.
A correspondent Of the Atlanta Consti-
tuition describes the scene. and adds:
Captain Drummond Immediately detail
ed a sergeant with six men, VINO Invested
the deserters of their uniforms ana
marched them bareheaded out OF the
grounds Their places have all been
filled. and the company Will be mustered
I'm tomorrow Captain Drummond IS one
Of the best men in the regiment. and MS
men are greatly Inundated over the ACTON
Of their comrades. -.
Private II. Nj, Twitty, of Captain Bell
Company, Macon, deserted also III the
same manner, and was Immediately fired
from the camp.
Tho res. of the company went through.
The forces Of Captains Stevens, Win
shin and Gleason, all Of the First Regi-
ment. were mustered in without the loss
of a man.
Major Kenan's, First Regiment, was
also enlisted. II is estimated that about
twenty men have left the camp in the
last three days Some gave good excuses,
others were simply tired of army life ana
got out of it before ii was too late. The
other companies will be mustered in to-
day. other desertiOns are looked Tor
when the critical moment arrives.
The use of the word "deserters" in this
connection is harsh. We should not care
TO employ IT in such connection; but 1t
is clear that Georgians consider the Of
fence a heinous one. and in the absence
Of an exactly descriptive term or phrase.
they have thought themselves justiiiable
in calling such men 'deserters."
The offence Of he men in question Is
not that they do not wish to volun-
teer. We venture TO say if at the
outset they had declared their purpose
10 remain at home little comment would
have been made thereon; but instead OF
doing that they kept up to the last their
pretence of volunteering. They only
backed down and out when brought face
to face with the mastering officer.
Was that sOldierly conduct? Was that
fair to their captain and comrades? We
think not. We think the judgment Of
the public will be that it was not. More
over. we much mistake If these young
men do not all their lives regret their
course Much they will wish they could
wipe out that days record!
See how hard the New York Seventh
Regiment is trying to reinstate itself in
the good graces OF the public! The Off
GERS and men are now hoping and pray
ing TO be called into service. See how the
Thirteenth Regiment (of Brooklyn is
begging and entreating Governor Black
TO revoke his order disbandIng that regi-
ment.
1t is well for soldiers to understand
how such conduct as that described is
looked upon by the world. 1t is well for
them to know that he who goes forth
from his company with brand upon him
has a burden OF disgrace to carry which
will weigh heavily upon him all Of his
life. 'Twere better to face Spanish bull
let's than to face the future under such
disadvantages.