Crime & Punishment

Crime and Punishment. . Soldiers were expected to respond to orders instantly and without question, especially during battle. To instill such obedience, military discipline was a regular part of fort life. Rules were strictly enforced, and punishment was often harsh., Desertion was a major issue on many frontier forts. About one-third of enlisted men deserted between 1867 and 1890. At Fort Randall, desertions increased after gold was discovered in the Black Hills., Fort Randall's guardhouse was built on this spot in the early 1870s. The original log guardhouse built in 1856 was located near the riverfront., [Book pages] , Chance made me the first inmate of one of the guardhouse cells., It was the custom in the army for flogging to be administered by one of the musicians. Some soldiers who had deserted were recaptured, court-martialed, and sentenced to receive 39 lashes on their bare backs with a rawhide. The officer of the day selected me to strike the blows., I refused. I was charged with disobedience and sentenced to be confined in the guardhouse for 30 days, ten of them in solitary confinement on a diet of bread and water, the remainder at hard labor, and to forfeit one month's pay.