Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1852-10-21
NUMBER AZ
SELECT VARIETY.
- -. ~ J.TT77- 7 : ;
kentucky Ridenen.

The renown whicht the Kentucky rilemen have
obtained for precision and skill in handling the ri
fle, has become world wide, and excited the at
tentioE and wonder of the warriors of other ma
lions In, battle they have stood as cool and col
lected-althOugh the first time in action-as the
Oldest veterans OF Europe pouring in their deadly
lire with unerring aim. Is IL 't-E7-s,l-f'!
Il shot that officer exclaimed rifleman, as he
saw an officer fall at New Orleans. "a ~
htNo, no., Il shot him, said his comrade at his
side. y g 70 rHHoET Q YaY8a-15s sf-sf if7a
If Shot him.1 shot him in the right e,ye' q
'And shot him i'll the left eye,' was the res
ponse.. F" 70 ,Hglhaas tdfIt@ t@.sg.szsit. ,4..t
After the bate, it was found that the officer had
been shot in both eyes. This unening precision
can only be obtained by long practice and thorough
drilling. AT the first settlement OF their State
they were compelled to be constantly under arms,
as il were, to guard against the wild Indian, and
escape the nurderous tomahawk. AS the father,
so the children grew up, taught in the earliest in
fancy possible,to to poise the rifle, and direct its
aim. AS ammunition,waS not always convenient
ly to be had, the father would dole out to him GER
tain number of charges for his rifle; for each one of
which he must bring home some kind of game, or
get tast of hickory for each missing shot,
Many years ago, Iwas- -conversing with my ia
ther on the wonderful skill of the Kentuckians,
when he related the following anecdote: IS
Il was out in the wilds Of Kentucky, some years
before the war, on surveying expedition, and had
an opportunity of studying the character of the
early settlers for a considerable length of time
II became necessary Tor me 10 stop lew Gays ata
log built tavern and to while away the time, took
my tristy rifle and explored the oods for game, Of
which there was an abundance. The landlord of
the tavern had fine little son, about ten years
old, who sometimes accompanied me with his rifle,
and always had very good luck 81 On one occasion
the fates seemed to be adverse tohm, for perceiv-
ing squirrel on very high branch of a tree, he
up with his rifle, bazed away, and down came the
squirrel. The look of dismaY with which he We've
ed his game, shall never forget. dropping the
butt of the rifle the ground he bursts into tears
In the utmost surprise, inquired what was the
matter. He answered, Daddy will lick me-
tLick you'll What forl' -
Because / dim mt hit him in the head.'
p soothed him all could, hut the days pleasure
was over. On returning to the tavern, .lnterce-
ded for him all in my power, to save him from the
hickory, but it of no use, the application must
be made, ifonly for the sake OF example. 'h.No,
no, stranger, i'll let him of, l break a standing
rule of our State, said dad. 4 never was let of,
and what was good for me is good for him. He
must shoot right, OF put up with what he gets.'-
The hickory was applied, but no bones Were bro
ken.' - rsa.dlsd
D Such training as that, which was universal in
these parts, tells the secret of Kentucky rife shoot
ing.-Sunday Mure~ry. ,IaEiEaaElEl Hs1