human
My way is to knock a man down, when he gives me any back talk, remarked the Major, sotto voce, taking a fresh chew of tobacco.
gpt
That's better than court-martialing to promote discipline.
human
Further admonitions, continued the Lieutenant,
gpt
Pardon me, Lieutenant--I should perhaps say Captain --interrupted Lieut. Bowersox, with much sweetness of manner,
human
Nothing. The Provost Guard came up at that moment, and I directed a Sergeant to place the two principal offenders in custody, and secure the names of the witnesses.
gpt
Is that all, Captain?
human
Yes, except that in closing my testimony I feel that it is my duty to impress upon the court that so flagrant a case as this should be made the opportunity for an example in the interests of discipline in the whole army. I have known this prisoner for some time, and watched him. This is not the first time that he and the Sergeant have insulted me. They are leaders in that class of uneducated fellows who have entirely too little respect for officers and gentlemen. They should be taught a lesson. This is necessary for the dignity and effectiveness of gentlemen who bear commissions, and--
gpt
I will ask the witness if this lecture on military ethics is a part of his testimony?
human
I think it is needed,
gpt
Let me see, Steigermeyer, said the Major, adjusting another chew of tobacco to his mouth, and balancing the knife with which he had cut it off, judicially in his fingers, a favorite position of his when, as a lawyer, he was putting a witness through a cross-examination.
human
How long have you been with this army? Came West with the Eleventh Corps, didn't you?
gpt
No; I was left behind on duty. I didn't come for several weeks after.
human
So I thought. You weren't with us at Stone River, or Chickamauga, or Mission Ridge. You'd know more if you had been. Your mental horizon would have been enlarged, so to speak. Aren't you from Milwaukee?
gpt
I was born and brought up there, until I went to West Point,
human
So I thought. The only man of your name that I ever heard of kept a saloon in Milwaukee--a great place for politicians to hang around. I used to go there myself when I was in politics. He was a sort of a ward boss. Was he your father?
gpt
Yes, sir, said the Lieutenant, with reddening face;
human
It has a great deal to do with this lecture with which you have favored us, answered the Major dryly.
gpt
But we'll not discuss that in open court. Are you through with the witness, Judge-Advocate? If so, call the next.
human
I'll just ask the Captain a few questions for the defense, said Lieut. Bowersox.
gpt
How did you know that the prisoner was drunk?
human
How did I know it? How does any man know that another is drunk? He was boisterous, excited and yelling--that kind of a drunk.
gpt
But that does not prove that he was drunk. That may be his way of doing his work. Did you see him drink?
human
No.
gpt
Did you ever see him before?
human
Yes.
gpt
How was he acting then?
human
I shall have to say that he was boisterous and yelling then, but not so wildly excited.
gpt
Then it was only a difference in degree, not kind. Was he not accomplishing what he was ordered to do?
human
Yes, he certainly did bring that limber out of the gulch.
gpt
Then it is only a matter of opinion that he was drunk. You have nothing to guide you except your judgment that the man was drunk, who was still doing his duty pretty effectively.
human
But there could be no mistake. I know that the man was raging drunk.
gpt
As I said before, that is a matter of opinion and judgment which I will discuss with the court later. Did the prisoner actually strike you?
human
I cannot say that he actually did, farther than snatch out of my hand the field-glasses.
gpt
He didn't do it! You're lyin'! I yanked the glasses out of your hand. 'Twas me,
human
Sergeant, said the Major to the Sergeant of the Provost Guard,
gpt
You can go, said Lieut. Bowersox to the Lieutenant.
human
Sergeant, bring in Orderly-Sergeant Jacob Whitelaw.