Drunkard

[Parault]

Would someone please direct me to a manual, or send me the procedures for dealing with a drunk found in camp or in the ranks.

Search was used and I couldn't find anything dealing with a "How to" or "What they did."

[1stMaine]

Re: Drunkard

Comrade,

As in today's military, so then. Most would be handled under various other refs, such as "dereliction of duty" "failure to appear at muster" "conduct unbecoming", etc.

The offending party, if enlisted, would be placed under guard in the stockade, if one was available, or under confinement in camp, under guard, etc. Officers would be confined to quarters.

After they sobered up and the charges would relayed to the battalion commander, he would read them over, talk to the witnesses and proceed from ther. Usually it was handled within the unit, most often by extra work details, corporal punishment, forfeiture of pay, etc.

Extra Guard Duty was NEVER assigned as punishment, however, as that was consodered an honorable detail and one to be perdormed only by soldiers fit for duty, etc.

[stx]

Re: Drunkard

There are a few pages in the Time Life Series, The Soldier's Life, on different punishments used.

[Parault]

Re: Drunkard

Comrade,

Extra Guard Duty was NEVER assigned as punishment, however, as that was consodered an honorable detail and one to be perdormed only by soldiers fit for duty, etc.

Mr. Kindred,
I found that part fascinating, but one that makes sense. Some of our guys were wanting to have a scenario with a member in our group. The funny part about all of this, he doesn't even drink.

What about signs? I cannot remember where I have seen it, I recall seeing a picture or a sketch of a soldier pretty much stripped and bare foot, with a sign around his neck, being escorted by armed guard. I might be confusing the picture. Would something like that be more accurate to protray?

Thank you for your thoughts & input.

[Parault]

Re: Drunkard

I will remember that Mr.Rice, however, I hate wasting good spirits.

I, along with a few others in my unit are wanting to do this for the public, say Saturday afternoon. Like I stated before this guy doesn't drink. He doesn't know that we have this in store for him. He is a good natured person. He will get a kick out of this too. I want this to be as accurate as possible. I am going to use some of what Mr. Kindred responded with as a guide.

[Enfilade]

Re: Drunkard

From "Lee's Maverick General", by Hal Bridges comes this excerpt on how D.H. Hill tried to reduce straggling....

"Behind each marching unit he placed a provost guard to pick up stragglers, a surgeon to examine those who claimed to be sick, and ambulances to carry those who really were unable to continue on foot. For allowing any man to fall out of ranks without cause, company officers were liable to arrest. These arrangements enabled (D.H.)Hill to march his division some two-hundred miles in ten days, through intermittent snow and rain, with a minimum of straggling.
Accompanying the division was a prisoner corps, and Hill on one occasion sent it ahead to build a footbridge over a river crossing. At the end of the day the captain of the prisoner corps reported to Hill and asked for whisky to warm his men, after their long hours in the cold water. Hill ordered that he be supplied. Next morning the provost guard brought a drunk prisoner to Hill, who sternly asked him to explain his conduct. Yessir, came the reply; General Hill furnished the whisky. Hill laughed and dismissed the man, telling him to go and sin no more."

Mark Berrier
North State Rifles

http://www.northstaterifles.com

[c.irelan]

Re: Drunkard

Hello

I don't have it right infront of me but if you take a look at the book about the Rock Island Arsonal you will find a intersting pic. It is a confederate prisoner sitting on a elongated saw horse complet with Head and tail the prisoner is also holding a 6 or 7 foot wooden sword. The sitting on the narrow board when riding it like a horse would eventuly start to hurt the back side and haveing balance the sword made things more difficult sine it was to be held straight up and down made things more difficult the punishment could last for hours.

This is one that I can remember off the top and maybe able to think of more later. This one was very common on both sides.

Now don't quote me on this there might even be a chapter in the book on punishments.

You could also go with the old Bread and water which by the way is still an active punishment for the Navy and Marine Corps not sure about the Army though.

Jasper Massey

Christopher Irelan
CFC

[YoungCampaigner]

Re: Drunkard

Hello all. One of the men in my ancestor's unit (40th Va. Infantry), Jesse Shelton, told of the punishment for drunkenness as he witnessed it in a letter to his wife:

"For getting drunk and insubordination the privates are punished by being compelled to stand on the head of a whiskey barrel and mark time in the hot sun two hours at a time 6 hours in the day rite (sic.) in full view. One was undergoing that punishment yesterday."