Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1901-10-28

I noticed some time ago an article from
Comrade ]. H. Freeman of the insubordi-
nation and arrest Of officers and men of
the Eighth Georgia battalion. 1t reminds
me of a similar occurrence Of the officers
OF the Eighth Georgia regiment Not see
ing any reply from any member OF my
regiment, / will attempt to give remi-
niscence OF the affair.
1t is true that the band Of the Eighth
Georgia regiment went into the battle or
the first Manassas with all the 'pomp
and glory of war" intent on silencing, IL
possible, a federal battery in their imme-
date front. The louder the band blew the
more terrible were the shells from the
federal battery. Seeing the uselessness OF
contendIng with a foe whose guns were
OF such a longer and deadlier range, the
brass instruments were thrown to the
four winus and each member grabbed
gun and. continued the fight on more
equal footing. After the battle had been
won. It was found that the band had lost
three men, wounded, and one, prisoner
who was retaken before the fight was
over After that fight, instead of a detail
from the ranks the musicians were sent
to the field hospital surgeons as nurses
and cooks, and soon after the battle the
officers bought a fine set Of instruments,
all of the same make and shape, ana
must say the band was the pride OF the
regiment The officers. at their own ex-
pense kept a professional leader Tor the
first three years.
After Longstreet's forces had returned
70 Virginia from the Chickamauga, Knox
vile and east Tennessee campaign, in the
vicinity of either Charlottesville or COR
louisville II was decided to have review
of Hoods old division, and it had been the
custom of General Tige Anderson, in pass
ing through villages, cities and on public
occasions, to request the colonel OF the
Eighth Georgia regiment. whose position
in the brigade was about the center TO
send the band to the front of the column,
which was complied with up TO that time.
On this occasion the field officers were all
absent, and Captain Blackwell, of Com
pany J. was in command of the regiment.
Intead of a request General Anderson or
dered Captain Blackwell to send the band
to the front Of the brigade. As the band
was considered regimental property, Cap
tain Blackwell fatty refused. and was at
once relieved of command. The next rank
ing officer was put in command. and he
IN turn ordered to send the band to the
front He positively declined. Every Off
Ger in the regiment was put in command,
and each one refused to obey the order
At last officers of other regiments were
put in command, and the band was sent
to the front. A goodly number of the men
in ranks refused to take part in the pa
rade and threatened to smash every in
strument to pieces that night; but better
counsel prevailed. There was no court
martial for officers or men for insubordi-
nation In a few days General Lee re-
viewed Longstreet's command, but no re-
quest nor order for the band. nor was
there ever one afterward. That was the
nearest TO a mutiny ever saw, not to be
one. ~.
After the siege of Knoxville Long
streets command went in the vicinity Of
he
pose of winter-quartering there, but the
Federals were intent on keeping us from
enjoying our quietude. Every few days
they would send out detachment to see
If we were at home. / well remember the
ear corn being issued, and it was re-
ported that a squad of men went to Ma
jor Hockenhull, brigade commissary, and
positively refused to touch the corn I'M
less they were supplied with troughs and
halters. 1t was the custom of the inhabi-
tants where the army stopped any length
of time to apply for guard to protect
their premises Lucky was the man that
got the job. He was sure of his rations.
Our band was frequently invited to diff
ferent farms near Morristown after
night. In compensation for music the
principal repast was apples and ginger
cakes, and we would walk Ave miles for
the prospect of a treat. One evening
Wright. of Company B, came in from the
farm he was protecting for the band to
go there that night, assuring us that we
would be treated like princes. Now in
our division from different commands
there was organized a pretty fair minstrel
show, having for their hall a church in
the village. To or three members of our
band belonged to the show. In order to
keep both engagements IL was necessary
to start little early, get our apples and
gingercalxes, then back to the church in
time for the show. Wright piloted us
through the woods to the farm, arriving
there just before dark. The gentleman
of the house met us at the gate with a
hearty welcome. Just as we were get
ting ready to play the old gentleman ac-
costed US:
Gentlemen, are youuns getting ready
for your performance"
He was assured that we were about to
begin action.
Hold bit. Let me acquaint the women
folks on tother side of the house. If you
was to begin your racket all of a suddint
like they would be on top of yam noun
tain afore you could say scat"
After playing a few pieces we were in
vited in to the fire. To hurry up matters
in a sort while it was proposed that we
go, as a hint to bring along the apples
and gingercakes. Impatient at last, we
arose from our seats, the old gentleman
remarxing:
"Well, gentlemen, I'm monstrous glad
you come, and now want you to bear 1t
i'm mind that whenever you feel like anus i
ing yourselves why just call around"
Our feelings can, be better imagined
than described. We were all for the mo-
ment like the boy the calf run over. Get
ting out into the ward 1t was proposed as
a parting salute to play 1--WE May Be