TROUBLE AMONG THE GREY BEARDS - 1865

GREY BEARDS

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 6/22/2016 at 12:16:41

Dubuque Democratic Herald – June 1, 1865

TROUBLE AMONG THE GREY BEARDS – There is trouble among the 37th (Grey Beards) regiment, arising from the fact that $25 was deducted from their pay, which sum was promised as bounty of them enlisting. The men charge the officers with extortion, and hence the difficulty. The Davenport Democrat of last Monday evening said:

The Grey Beards, now that they have been mustered out, are terribly bitter upon their officers. On Saturday Lieut. Col West stepped upon a boat to go home. There were plenty of Grey Beards on the same craft, and when they saw him, commenced hissing and groaning in the most agnostic style. Some pushing and jostling him about; a cry was set up to throw him in the river and give him a good dunking, but the captain of the boat interfered, and the persecuted ex-officer was taken away from his tormentors.

This is not the only case. On Saturday a large number of this regiment prepared a document, for the publication of which they have contracted, setting forth in terms plain terms the miseries to which they have been exposed by brutal and dishonest officers. Numerous charges are therein made, which, if true, ought to consign an officer to serve punishment. The statements are made over their signatures, and will be given to the public in a short time. Look out for something rough and spicy.