The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-01-20
KENTUCKY RIFLEMHN.

The renown winch hentucKy hlnem en-
have obtained for precision and skill in
handling the rifle, has become world wide,
and excited the attention and wonder of the
warriors Of other nations. In battle they
have stood as cool and collected, although
the first time in action, as the Oldest vete-
rams Of Europe; pouring in their fire with
unerring aim.
Il shot that officer" exclaimed rife
man, as he saw an officer fall at New Or
leans.
mo, mol shot him said Ills comrade at
his side.'
Il shot him in the right eyc," replied the
| riheman.
''And shot him in the left eye,'' was the
response. rst
After the battle, it was found that this
officer had been shot in both eyes. This
unerring precision can only be obtained by
long practice and thorough drilling. At
the first settlement of the State, they were
compelled to be constantly under arms, as
it were, to guard against the wild Indians.
and the murderous tomahawk. AS the faith
er, so the children grew up, taught, in tho
earliest infancy possible, to poise the rife
and direct its aim. As ammunition was not
always convenient to be had, the father
would dole out to his son certain number
of cartridges for his rife, for each one of
which he must bring home some sort Of
game or get taste of hickory for every
missing shot. -
Many years ago was conyersing with
my father on the wonderful skill of ythe
Kentuckians, when he related the following
aneCdote: s.tE
II was out in tho wilds of Kentuck, some
years before the war, on surveying expe-
dition, and had the opportunity of Studying
the character of the earlier settlers for a
considerable length of time. 1t became
necessary for me to stop few days at a
log tavern, and TO while away the time, I
took my rife and explored the wood for
game, of which there was an abundance
The landlord had little son abount ten
years of age, who accompanied me with his
rife, and always had extremely good luck.
On one occasion the fates seemed to be ad-
verse to him for. perccivipg squirrel on
very high branch of a tree, he up with his
rifle and blazed away, and down came the
squirrel. The look of dismay with which
he viewed his game shall never forget
Dropping the butt of his rifle on the ground
he burst into toars. In the utmost surprise,
| inquired what the matter was. lie an
swered:
"Daddy'll lick me-"
Lick you!- what fort"
because didn't hit him in tho head"
soothed him all I could, but the days
pleasure was over. On returning to the
travern, / interceded for him all in my pow
er to save him from the hickory, but it was
of no use the application must be made, if
only for an example.
mo, no stranger; if / let him off 1 break
standing rule of our State, was never
let off, and what was good for me is good
for him. He must shoot right or PIT up
with what he gets"
The hickory was applied, but no bones
were broken. Such training as that, which
was universal in those parts, tells the secret
of Kentucky rife shooting"
A CHINESE President
Pierce's message before the last was duly
presented to the Viceroy of China by DIR.
Parker, the American commissioner. The
Friend of China. of Oct. 3lst, says:
The communication appears to have been
sent to Pekin in due course, bat the pleasure
of opening it was declined by his majesty.
who had no relish for converse with outside
barbarians, and has been returned. Of
course, after similar rejection of a letter
from the Queen of England, Mr.. Pierce
| cannot consider himself particularly hard
| used, and viii wait patiently the time when
| the eagle aad the lion can make common
cause, and take atonenent for the. many in
sults passed upon them By the dragon.