British Military Flogging: Early nineteenth century.
"The victim is closely observed by the regimental surgeon (dark
coat) and, to his left, the sergeant-major of the regiment keeps a tally
of the strokes inflicted, the drummers tapping a single beat every time
the lash falls... One soldier in the unit, which has been paraded
to watch the grisly spectacle, has been overcome by the sight and fainted."
"Flogging was a time-honoured ritual punishment, carried out in front of
the victim's fellow soldiers in order to impress them with the consequences
of offending against military. It was defended as the most
effective way of maintaining discipline... Field Marshal Viscount Wolseley
wrote that it was 'cheap, simple, and withdrew the soldier from his duty
for the shortest possible time'. Illustration and excerpts from Gone
For A Soldier by Victor Neuburg.