, 1859-03-25
AN INcoRRIcrsLn COWARD
By DR.. S. COMPTON SMITH.

/ u
arms, in whom was combined all the skill ard
accomplishments Of the true soldier, with the
incoTigible cowardice Of the meanest poltroon.
This unenViabe character was possessed by
an individual whose real name, for obvious rea-
sons, will not give, but will simply designate
him as Captain B., Of the Blank Regiment
] first became acquainted with this officer at
Camargo, where his regiment arrived few days
before the army moved forward to Monterey,
and must confess that never met with more
agreeable and companionable fellow in my life. |
He was the very soul Of wit and youthful viva
city, and consequently iavOrite with his regi-
ment; for as his peculiar temperament had never
had an occasion to develop ITSELF his bravery had
never been questioned.
| When the order for our hasty preparations for
the advance was promulgated, no one was more
elated, apparently, than Captain B., at the
prospect Of our soon "lOcking horns with the
Yellow-skins," as he facetiOusly expressed 1t;
and he was seen everywhere among his men,
exhortng them to hasten their readiness, and
congratulating them upon the glorious OpPOr-
tunity which would soon be afforded them for
distinguishing themselves, and by their deeds Of
heroism, acquiring for their company an envia-
BILE position in the regiment to which they be-
longed.
During the march, no officer was more cheer
ful and sangune Of the result Of the fierce strug
gle in which we expected to be engaged, before
the walls Of the strongly defended city, than the
handsome and ardent captain; nor were the oft
quoted remarks about "reveing in the Halls Of
the Montezumas otener heard than from his
lips. In short, no one could come in contact
with him, without Immediately experiencing the
contagious effects Of his own manly and gallant
bearing.
But alas for poor Captain B., his courage
did not long remain at the stickingPoint after we
arrived in sight Of the enemy. Our good general
was so hvOrably impressed with his solderlke
appearance during the march, and the perfect
discipline Of his men, that he selected him, with
portion Of his company, to form reconnoiter-
ing party, which, after proceeding through the
fields in the direction Of tho enemy's outposts,
was to examine the position Of certain covered
batteries, and 10 draw their ere. that we might
know how to direct our ovn. But, unfortunate
ly, just as tho party had entered q narrow gully
in front Of the works, he was suddenly attacked
with a violent spasm Of the stomach, which rem
dered it impossible for him TO proceed another
STEP This disease, he declared, he had had sew
eral twinges Of before, and attributed Il to the
pure water Of the country, together with the
fatigue Of his previous marches. After request
ing his lieutenant to conduct the reconnoisancc,
as directed by the general, Captain B. threw
himself on the ground, under cover Of the banks,
and patiently awaited the return Of his men.
When they had accomplished their objects and
returned to the gully, they found the captain,
now recovered, in perfect health and spirits and
returning at their head, he reported the results
Of his examination, with so much minuteness
and apparent knowledge Of the ground, as TO re- |
ceive the special thanks Of the commander.
This duty was performed, as tho gallant old
general supposed, with so much fearlessness and
pfOmpttude on the part Of Captain B., that
he determined, the next morning, when the action
commenced in earnest to give him, with his reg
iment peculiarly honorable position in the
storming Of the lower part Of the city.
| With cool and manly bearing did this really
fnc-lOoking officer place himself at the head Of
his brave men, and move on with his regiment
But scarcely had il entered the outskirts Of the
suburbs, under cover Of the cane plantations and
corn fields, and attracted the fire Of the enemy,
than he suddenly disappeared There was no
time to search for him, and his lieutenant sup
posing that some casual shot had struck him
down, assumed the command Of the company,
and moved on to the attack.
Most fearful was the havoc among our noble |
fellows at this point for the regiments engaged
in the focus Of that memorable cross fire, which
belched forth from those masked batteries suf.
iered as no other troops did during that severely
contested battle and we surgeons found our
hands more than full in attendance upon the
wounded and dying.
About two hours aRer the advance Of the
Blank Regiment soldier, whose duty Il was to
attend the surgeons attendants, In bringing in
the wounded from the various points Of the field,
stepped up to me with q request that l would
come Immediately TO q young officer, who, dan
gerOusly wounded, was lying In house close at
hand.
"why did you not bring him to US :" asked
"Oh, sir" replied the soldier, "he says he is
too badly hurt to be moved, till he has first seen
ais he bleeding much :" inquired
"Not much, that could see, sir. He says
his hurt is internal"
So leaving our poor patients, who needed all
our attention and Skill hastened to the spot
indicated by the man and on entering the house.
found Captain B--lying apparently insensible
upon blanket A few stains Of blood were dis
c0vcrablo upon his face; and his white linen
trousers were considerably colored with dirt and
blood commingled, as Il he had drawn himself
painfully over the uneven ground, to his present
shelter.
my dear Captain" said !, STOPPING upon one
knee BY bis side, and raising his head upon my
hand, "are you badly hurtG Speak, if you
can" for at once perceived that he was breath
ing quite naturally. "Tell mi" continued,
"where arc you wounded ?"
He could not speak, but placed his hand upon
his chest
"Lct me examine" said I, as tore open bis
coat and removing his shirt.bosOm, passed my
hand carefully over his person; but without dis
covering either gunshot wound or confusion
"Ab, my dear doctor, is that you s-How kind
you arcl Tell me how long have been lying
'here But don't stay any iOnscr,-I know my