Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1909-08-19
Military Prisoners.

The hardest duty that soldier is ever
called upon TO perform in times OF peace
and the duty which he breads the most IS
the guarding ofmilitary prisoners. These
are divided into two classes;
First-Garrison prisoners, who have re-
ceiyed light sentences for minor breaches
OF discipline and will be returned to duty
in short time.
Second-Military convicts, who for st
tempted deSertion or other serious military
crimes have been dishonorably discharged
by order of court-martial and have re-
ceiyed sentences varying from few
months TO several years confinement at
hard labor, according to the gravity OF the
offense. Into their ranks the vicious eie-
ment or those who hold their oath OF en-
listment too lightly. eventually find their
way.
Every morning at fatigue csll the prison.
ers are drawn up in long line in front OF
the guard house and surrounded by a
chain Of fSentries. The somber prison garb
of the generals military convicts were
formerly known as general prisoners
is marked with gigantic capital "P's,"
which render them conspicuous and,
therefore make escape more difficult.
Some are evil-looking fellows, with
long and unsavoY records. Doubtless
many have "done time" more than once
in civil prisons before evading the watch
fullness of the recruiting officer and find
ing their way into the army. Others are
rosy-cheeked lads who in all probability
h We yet TO see their twenty-first birth
day, and in nine cases out OF ten the
charge against them is desertion. Home
sickness or restessneSs under military
restraint and discipline has led them into
the rash act, the heavy penalties OF which
they may not have iully realized.
In groups Of twos aud thfees, and
guarded by sentries with loaded rifles,
these men preform most OF the disagreed
bic work and menial labor about the
army post, which is highly varied in char
acter, and may consist OF anything from
sprinkling the lawns TO digging bitches
for monster sewer pipes. Although they
generally perform their enforced tasks
cheertuly, occasionally & particularly
disagreeable piece Of work causes min
iature strike, and dozen men may buck"
that is, refuse to work.
II is then that the historic "bull ring" is
resored to. A huge circle is marked out
on the ground, and the malefactors are
required TO walk around its circumference
in Indian file for eight hours day, pre-
serving absolute silence. A l0-minute
respite is allowed at noon for bread-and
water lunch. A day or two OF this treat
ment usually suffices TO break the most
stubborn will. II not, there still remains
solitary confinement on the bread-and-
water diet, and as last resort the dun
geon.
The prison duty !: by all odds the grim
NEST phase Of the soldiers life He may
find himself standing guard over his best
friend, with orders to shoot to kill should
his man attempt to escape.
The effect OF intercourse with military
prisoners is, If nothing more, very DAM
aging TO the morals OF the new recruit,
and it is most unfortunate that some pro-
vision had not been made for transferring
this class of evil-doers TO civil penitent-
iaries or to some large military prison far
removed from the army post.