The Placer herald. [volume] (Auburn, Placer County, Calif.) 1855-1991, 1861-07-20
Going into Battle.

Citizen soldiers inexperienced in the battle.
held will find the most terrible moments just
before the combat begins. A soldier, in his
narration OF personal adventures in the Mexi
can war, published in "Howe's Achievements
OF Americans" gives some interesting items
on this head in his description Of the battle
of Pslo Alto, the opening battle of the war
When all was ready, both armies stood
still for about twenty minutes, each waiting
tor the other to begin the work of death,
and during this time did not see single
man of the enemy move; they stood like
statues.
We remained quiet, with two exceptions,
Gen. Taylor, followed by his staff, rode from
left to right, at a slow pace, with his leg
thrown over like a woman, and as he passed
each regiment he spoke words of encourage
ment. | know not what he said to others,
but when he came to where we stood, he
looked steadily at us, | suppose, to see what
effect the circumstances in which we were
placed had upon us; and as he gazed, he
said:
"7he bayonet, my hardy cocks! the 6ayonet
IS the thing!
The other occasion was that of Lieutenant t
Blake, Of the Engineers, who volunteered to
gallop along the enemy's line, in front of
both armies, and count their guns; and so
close did he 90 that he might have been shot
hundred times. One of the officers of the
enemy, doubtless thinking that he had some
communication to make, rode out to meet
him; Blake, however, paid no attention to
him, but rode on, and then returned and
reported to Taylor.
Thus stood those two belligerent armies,
face to face. What were the feelings of
those thousands! How many thoughts and
fears were crowded into those few moments.
Look at our men! clammy sweat is settled
all over faces slightly pale, not from coward
ly tear but from an awful sense of peril
combined with determination not to finch
from duty. These are the moments in which
true ,ldiers resign themselves to their tate,
and console themselves with the reflection
that whatever may befall them they will
act with honor; these are the moments when
the absolute coward suffers more than death
when, if not certain he would be shot in
bis tracks, he would turn and hee Fighting
is very hard work; the man who has passed
through two hours fight, has lived through
great amount of mental and physical labor.
A: the end of a battle always found that
| had perspired so protusely as to wet through
all my thick woolen clothing, and when
had got cool, | was as sore as if had been
beaten all over with club. When the bat
tie commences the feelings undergo change.
Reader, did you ever see your house on tres
If so, it was then You rushed into great
danger; it was then you went over places,
climbe, over walls, lifted heavy loads, which
YOU never could have done in your coolest
moments; then you have experienced some
OF the excitement of soldier in battle. I
always knew my danger-that at any MOI
ment | was liable to be killed, yet such was
my excitement that never folly realized it.
All men are not alike; some are cool; some
are perfectly wild or crazy; others are so
prostrated with fear that they are completely
unnerved-an awful sinking and relaxation
of all their energies skes place, awful to
behold; they tremble like an aspen, slink
into bitches and covert places, cry ike chill.
dren, and are totally nsensible to shame
dead to every emotion but the overwhelming
fear of instant death. We had a few, and
but few, Of such in our army.
As the two armies were facing each other,
it was remarkable to see tho GOODNESS of
our men; there they stood, chewing bits Of
biscuit, and talking about the Mexicans-
some wondering if they would fight; others
allowing that they would, and like demons,
etc. kept my eye on the artillery of the
enemy, and happened to be looking toward
their right wing when suddenly white curl
of smoke sprang up there from one of their
guns aud then | saw the dust fly some dis
tance in front, where the ball struck. In
stantly another, and then another rich curl
of smoke arose, succeeded by booming
sound, and the shot came crashing toward
us. The enemy fired very rapidly, and their
balls knocked the dust about us in all direc.
tions-some W. mt over our heads, others
struck the ground in front and bounded
away.
Our batteries now went to work, and pour
ed in upon them a perfect storm Of iron.
Lieut.. Churchill and his men began with
their eighteen Founders, and, when the first
was fired, it made such a loud report that
our men gave spontaneous shout, which
seemed 10 Inspire us with renewed confidence
l could hear every word the Lieutenant said
to his men. When the first shot was fired,
be watched the ball, saying: "Too high, men;
try another"- low, men; try again
the third time is the charm!" The third
shot was fired, and 1 saw with my own
eyes the dreadful effect of that and the fol
lowing shots. "Thats it. my boys!" shouted
Churchill, jumping up about two feet; "you
have them now keep at that;" and SO they
did, and every shot tore complete lanes
through the enemys lines; but they stood
it manfully The full chorus Of battle now
ragged; twenty three pieces of artillery belch-
ed forth their iron hail.
We were ordered to lie down in the grass