What flogging in the army was like, we may see by the following police report, taken from the Times of May 18, 1833:—
"Mansion House.—Yesterday, a soldier, named George M'Willen, aged twenty-one years, was brought before the Lord Mayor, charged by a soldier with having deserted from the 77th Regiment.
"William Rogers, a private in the army, stated that the prisoner had admitted to him that he had deserted from his regiment.
"The Lord Mayor (to the prisoner): Did you acknowledge that you deserted?
"Prisoner: Yes, my lord, but not till he told me I was a deserter; I was not quite such a fool.
"The Lord Mayor: Why did you desert from your regiment?
"Prisoner: Because I was tired of flogging. I am only twenty-one years of age, and I have received nine hundred lashes. (Here were some expressions of surprise and disgust.)
"The Lord Mayor: Did I hear you rightly? Did you say nine hundred lashes?
"Prisoner: No doubt of it, my lord.
"Mr. Hobler: It is impossible, if you received nine hundred lashes, you can stand up so straight.