Memoirs of a Veteran Who Served as a Private in the 60's in the War Between the States: Personal Incidents, Experiences and ObservationsHermann, I. (Isaac)
History
Memoirs of a Veteran Who Served as a Private in the 60's in the War Between the States: Personal Incidents, Experiences and Observations
Hermann, I. (Isaac)
Confederate States of America. Army. Georgia Artillery. Howell's Battery; Confederate States of America. Army. Georgia Artillery. Martin's Battery; Confederate States of America. Army. Georgia Infantry Regiment, 1st (1861-1862); United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Personal narratives
We went to the house, changed our clothes and returned, mingling with
the fishermen and kept all the fun we had to ourselves. They all made a
fine catch and there was fish a plenty for all. Linville and myself
enjoyed the repast, as the physical exercise we had just undergone
sharpened our appetite.
A few days later we rendezvoused at Sandersville, and the Company left
for Savannah, our camp of instruction. Under the tuition of Jacobi,
leader of the band of the 32nd Georgia, W. H. Harrison's Regiment, I
soon learned all the calls and commands.
While thus engaged the Company had a gross misunderstanding with Capt.
Martin, who, before coming in contact with the members of his command,
was an entire stranger to them. Most all were ignorant of military
duties, but strictly honest and patriotic citizens. Capt. Martin was a
strict disciplinarian and putting the screws on rather a little too
tight placed him into disfavor with the men, who petitioned him to
resign, otherwise they would prefer charges against him. Thus matters
stood when I returned to camp. Martin was tried before a board and
exonorated. To revenge himself upon those who were active in his
persecution he reduced those that were non-commissioned officers to
ranks and appointed others in their stead; and to make matters more
galling, appointed a substitute, a mercenary as orderly Sergeant over a
Company of volunteers, who solely served their country through
patriotism. Ned Irwin, when elevated to the position he was, proved
himself a worthy tool in the hand of his promoter. Men could not express
an opinion on hardly any subject without being reported, he would sneak
about in the dark, crouch behind a tent evesdropping and make report as
unfavorably as he could to bring the individual into disfavor. He made
himself so obnoxious that he did not have a friend in the whole Company,
and when he died at Yazoo City, you could hear freely expressed the
following sentiment: "Poor old Ned is dead, thank God this saves some
good men of having to kill him."
When I returned to camp I presented myself before Capt. Martin who
examined me as to my proficiency as a bugler. I said, "Captain, there
has been quite some changes made since I have been away," he said, "Yes,
the men have accused me of speculating on their rations." I said I was
very sorry that such a state of affairs existed among officers and men,
where harmony ought to prevail; he said he insisted that those charges
be substantiated and demanded a court martial, who on hearing the facts
cleared him of any criminality, so he punished the leaders of the gang
by reducing them to ranks.
Capt. Martin, however, proved himself a capable officer in handling
artillery and the men finally came to love him on account of his
efficiency and fairness.
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