What effect this leniency had on the future conduct of this regiment will be hereafter seen.  It will be observed that this mutiny might have occurred in any army.  Others yet to be described had their origin in the defects of the Rebel discipline, and will demonstrate radical evils in their system.

One of the most serio-comic affairs that occurred during my service, may be worth the narration.  Shortly after reaching Randolph, one of our sergeants named Brown imported his better-half from Memphis, and for some days they agreed remarkably well; but the sergeant obtaining a jug of whiskey one day, and imbibing too much of the potent fluid, made up his mind that Mrs. Brown should not drink any more, and informed her of his decision.  He argued in a masterly way that, as they two were one, he would drink enough for both; and she being fond of the crathur, demurred to this proposition.  Thereupon ensued a very lively scene.  Mrs. Brown, who weighed some fourteen stone, and was fully master of her weight, intrenched herself behind some boxes and barrels, with the precious jug in charge.  Mr. Brown first tried compromise, and then flattery, but she was proof against such measures.

Mr. Brown. Mrs. Brown, my dear, jist come over to me now and we’ll argue the matter.

Mrs. Brown. No, you don’t, Sergeant, ye don’t catch me wid any ov ye’r compromises.  I have the jug now, and I’ll hould on to it.  So I will.

Mr. B. Shure, Honey, I was only jokin’ wid ye before.  Ye may hev half o’ the crathur.

Mrs. B. Now, Sergeant, ye may as well hould ye’r tongue, for a drap ov this liker ye’ll never touch agin.

Maddened to desperation, the sergeant attacked Mrs. Brown, who valiantly defended herself with half of a tent-pole which lay near at hand.  About this juncture, their “discussion wid sticks” was interrupted by the captain ordering out a guard of four men to take the pair and put them in confinement.  As I was Orderly Sergeant, I immediately attempted to carry out this order, and arrested the sergeant first.  I then advanced to seize Mrs. Brown, but she charged with the tent-pole, and as the four men were engaged in carrying off the sergeant, who resisted desperately, and called lustily to Mrs. Brown for assistance, I was forced to beat a hasty retreat and seek reinforcements, at the same time feeling a very unpleasant tingling sensation across my shoulders from a blow Mrs. Brown had administered with her stick.  Being reinforced by several more men, we surrounded the enemy, and she surrendered at discretion, and was put under guard in the middle of the parade ground with her affectionate spouse.  Then ensued a scene which almost beggars description.

Mrs. B. O Brown, ye cowardly spalpeen! to stand by and see yer wife abused in sich a manner!

Mr. B. Now, honey, be aisy, can’t ye?  Shure I was tied before they took ye.