Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1901-11-07
Anti Prohibition Tactics of
The Tenth Georgia TippLerS
BY o. l. WALDEN.

There was more or less friction all the
time through the war between the COM
manding officers and the drinking ele-
ment of the rank and file in regard to the
use or abuse of intoxicating drinks, and
notwithstanding the shrewdness and fine
executive ability OF many Of our COM
manders whenever the constantly recur-
ring contention. about strong drink was
encountered. the men generally managed
TO win. I don't mean TO insinuate that
the officers themselves were all strict tee
totalers, setting worthy examples of tenn
perance and sobriety before the men, for
unfortunately no such inducement to re-
form as the example of superior officers
was held out TO them, but the idea pre-
vailed that for a private soldier to get
drunk and cut up was conduct preJu-
dicial to good order in military discip-
line"
Soon after our regiment, which was the
Tenth Georgia, entered the service some
OF our men, like those Of many other
regiments, began to exhibit symptoms OF
an immoderate appetite for drink, and
this appetite was INDUCED whenever an
opportunity offered, and some OF them be-
gan very soon to make the opportunities
instead OF waiting for them The disease
proved contagious and many recruits
Joined the drinkers from time TO time
who had hitherto been classed with the
other faction.
The authorities instituted various means
for suppressing or controlling the use OF
whisky, but all proved inadequate and in
effective. They issued and caused to be
published general orders prohibiting the
sale or use OF intoxicating liquors in the
camps, affixing penalties Of greater or
less severity for violations, but men who
were submissive and obedient to other or
ders disregarded this one. Some were
ailing and required tonic, others used 1t
as a precaution against possible snake
bites, and many other excellent excuses
were given for its use.
A strong line OF guards was posted
around the camp with orders 70 search
carefully everyone who attempted TO en-
ter, and anyone on whose person whisky
was found must be arrested and punished;
but II was found difficult TO enforce this
order on account of the adverse sympa-
thies Of the guard
One young man got common tin Gomez
pot in which to bring whisky into camp.
He sealed up securely with wax the small
strainer-like holes through which the cof-
fee was intended TO pass from the coffee
pot into the spout He would have the
coffee pot filled with whisky and the
spout filled with milk, and when called on
TO exhibit the contents Of his coffee pot
he would pour out a little milk from the
spout. and thus satisfying the guard
would pass in nonchalantly, with an air
OF perfect innocence. Then there would
follow some mysterious cases Of drunk
enness in the camp.
After this there were provost marshals
appointed to wrestle with the whisky
problem. Their duties partook somewhat
of the nature both OF the modern revenue
officer and city detective. They were re-
quired to seize and cohfiscate all intoxi-
eating drinks brought into the camp, and
also to apprehend and prosecute all OF
tenders against the whisky regulations.
Mr. Shannon Watterson, of our company
Company Ed, a brother OF Hon. VIII
Watterson, of Jonesboro, was assigned to