During the late war in America, when drafts were made from the militia
to recruit the continental army, a Captain gave liberty to the men, who
were drafted from his company, to make their objections, if they had
any, against going into the service. Accordingly, one of them who had an
impediment in his speech, came up to the captain and made his bow. “What
is your objection?” said the captain. “I ca-a-ant go,”--answers the man,
“because I st-st-stutter.” “Stutter,” says the captain, “you don’t go
there to talk, but to fight.” “Ay, but they’ll p-p-put me upon
g-g-guard, and a man may go ha-ha-half a mile before I can say wh-wh-who
goes there?” “Oh that is no objection, for they will place another
sentry with you, and he can challenge, if you can fire.” “Well, b-b-but
I may be ta-ta-taken, and run through the g-g-guts, before I can cry
qu-qu-quarter.” This last plea prevailed, and the captain, out of
humanity (_laughing heartily_), dismissed him.
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