| From the Charleston Mercury |
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| September 3, 1862 |
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| A Guard Needed on the Cars |
| We are informed that, since the
abolishment of martial law, great inconvenience has been felt on the
South Carolina Railroad -- especially on the night trains -- owing to
the absence of the corporal's guard formerly detailed for duty on every
trip. Among the thousands of soldiers who are constantly passing to and
fro over the road, there are always some turbulent ones, who, released
from the discipline of the camp, throw aside all respect for the
ordinary rules of decorum, and conduct themselves in a manner most
annoying to their fellow passengers, frequently intruding their presence
in the ladies' car, and behaving there in a style that would scarcely be
tolerated in a bar room. Sometimes several of these boisterous soldiers
league themselves together, and boldly refuse to pay their fare, defying
the authority of the conductor. During the existence of martial law
there was always a speedy remedy at hand, in the presence of a guard on
every train, with fixed bayonets, to preserve order. Although the civil
authorities have resumed their jurisdiction, it seems to us most
desirable that, as long as the passenger trains on our railroads
continue to be filled with soldiers, a guard of five men should be
stationed aboard each train. |
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