The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1861-07-04
a Soldiers Emotions in Battle.

soldlerln MS uarratlon OF personal ad'
ventures in the Mexican War, published
in Howe 5 Achievements of America. +"
gives some interesting items under this
head in his description of the battle OF
Palo Alto, the opening battle OF the war.
When all vas ready, both armies stood
still for about twenty minutes, each wait
ing for the other to begin the work Of
death, and during this time, did not see
single fasn OF the enemy move; they
stood like statutes.
| We remained quiet with two excep.
tions; Gen. Taylor, followed hy bis .tafF,
rode from light to left at a slow pace,
with bis leg thrown over like woman,
and as he passed each regiment, he spoke
words of encouragement. | know not
what be said to the others, but when be
came up to where We stood, be looked
steadily at US. suppose, to see what ef
feet the novel circumstances in which we
we're placed had upon US, and, as he
gazed, he said: "The' bayonet, my hear,
ty cocksl the bayonet is the thingl" The
other exception was that of Lieut.. Blake,
one 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 60 that he might have
been shot a hundred times. One of the
officers of the enemy, doubtless thinking
be had some con munication to make,
rode out to meet bin; Blake, however,
paid no atte ntion, but rode on, and then
returned and reported to Taylor
Thus stood those two belligerent ar
mics, face to face. What were the feel.
ings of those thousandsl How many
thoughts and fears were crowded into
those few nomentsl Look at our menl
a clammy sweat is settled all over faces
slightly pale, not from cowardly fear, but
from an awful sense of peril, combined
with determination not to finch from du
ty. These are the moments In which
true soldiers resign themselves to their
fate, and console themselves with the re-
Fiction that whatever may befall them
they will act with honor; these are the
moments when the absolute coward suF
fers more than desth-when, if rot pal
sled, be would turn and fee. Fighting
is very hard work; the man who has pass
ed through two hours fight, has lived
thro' great amount Of mental and phys
ical labor. al the end Of battle al
ways found that l had perspired so pro-
fusely as to vet all ny WOODEN clothing,
and when I got cool, was as sore as if
I had been Beaten all over with club.
When the bsttle commences the feelings
undergo a change. Reader, did you ever
see your honse on FIRE! If so. it was
then you rushed into great danger; it
was then you went over places, climbed
over walls. lifted heavy loads which you
never could have lifted in your cooler
moments; you then have experienced
some of the excitement Of soldier in
battle. | always knew my DANCE
at any moment | was liable to be killed,
yet such was my excitement that L never
realized it. All uen are not alike; some
are perfectly wild or crazy; others are so
prostrated By fear that they are complete
uunerved- an awful sinking or relaxa-
ton of all their energies takes place, aw
full to behold; they trembe like an aspen,
sink into bitches and covert places, cry
like children, and are totally insensible
to shamo-dead to every emotion but the
overwhelming fear of Instant DEATH
We had few, and but few, of such in
/ our army.
AS the two armies were facing each
other it was remark able to see the cool
ness of our men: there they stood, chew
ing bits of biscuit and talking about the
Mexicans-some wondering il they would
fight; others allowing that they would,
and like demons, &c. | kept my eye on
the artillery of the enemy, and happened
to be looking toward their right wing,
when suddenly a white curl of smoke a
rose, succeeded by booming sound aud
the shot came crashing toward us. The
enemy fred very rapidly, and their balls
Knocked the dust about in all directions
some went over our heads, others struck
the ground in front and bounded away.
Our batteries now went to work, and
poured in upon them perfect storm oi
iron; Lieutenant Churchill and his mer
began with their Is Founders, and when
the first was fired, it made such loud
report that our men gave spontaneous
shout, which seemed to inspire US with
renewed confidence. [ could hear every
word the Lieutenant said to his men,
When the first shot was fired, he watched
the ball, saying, TOO high, men; try
snother r"--"too low, men; try again--thC
third time is the charmW The third shot
was fired, and | saw with my own eyes
the dreadful effect of that and the follow
ing shots. That's it my hoys!' shouted
Churchill, jumping up ahopt two feeti /,
"you have them nowl keep ber at that'
and so they did, and every shot tore com
plete lanes through the enemy lines; ou'
they stood it manfully. The full chorus
of battle now ragged; twenty three piece.
of artillery belched forth their iron hail
We were ordered to lie down 10 tht
grass TO avoid the shot; this puzzled ths
enemy, and they could not bring then
GUNS to bear upon US, making our loss