Two Immigrants for the Union.' Their Civil War Letters - Norwegian ...

Lars and Knud Dokken
of the men in Co. A got quite drunk and rowdy and
started a fight. They were put in the guardhouse. But
several of their friends set out for the guardhouse,
shoved the guard out of the way, and freed the prisoners.
But then our captain, who was officer of the da y, arrived
and he tried toget these fellows under control. But there
was one chap who struck at our captain, and the whole
company went wild. Then emne an order that our 4 companies
should bring them to order. The command "Fall
in, fall in" was called out, and so we assembled as
quickly as possible. We were told to load our guns
quickly and were marched to the guardhouse in formation.
Company A was lined up and we ringed them in.
The major came to question them. All of them had to turn
in their guns to the major and 6 of the men were put
under arrest. Their lieutenant was also arrested. They
have not yet been sentenced and so we don't know what
will happen. I am afraid it will go hard with them.
Another man of our company is under arrest forfalling
asleep at his post while standing guard. He is Ole Olsen
Neregjorde. 19 He has not come to trial yet, but I know it
will be hard, for there is a death sentence for those who
sleep at the post. Another man was punished because he
refused to tidy up his tent. He was hanged by the hands
as long as they thought he could stand it. So you have to
obey your officers - or else! 20
As for the war, we don't know anything new except
that the Rebels have deserted Corinth 21 and I have
heard that MacClelland [sic] has begun to bombard
Richmond, which I believe has been taken. But I also
heard that they have begun to recruit men again in the
North to replenish the regiments. I don't see how that
can be true, because I thought there would soon be an
end to this war, and that we could come home. But it
does not look like it, if they are enlisting more men. We
must hope that we can come home soon.
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