Flogging was carried out in front of
the man's comrades by the drummers of the regiment. The number
of strokes that could be given was gradually reduced until
it was abolished in 1881. Field punishment was also very
public; the man was tied to a standing gun carriage or wagon
wheel. Although civil branding was abolished in 1829 the practice of branding deserters (with a D) or soldiers of bad character (with a BC) was not abolished until 1871.
It was done with a crude form of tattooing and was feared more
than flogging as the soldier took the mark to his grave. | 
