The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1861-11-30
element that Inever fully realized it

All men are not alike some are cool ;
some are perfectly wild or crazy others
are so Frustrated by fear that they are
completely unnerved-an awful sinking
and relaxation of all their energies takes
place, awful to behold they tremble
like an aspen, stink into bitches and
covert places, cry like children, and are
totally insens5le to shame-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, 1t was remarkable to see the coo:-
ness of our men there they stood,
chewing bits of biscuits, and talking
about the Mexicans some wondering
if they would fight Others allowing they
would, and like demons, &c. l kept my
eye on the artillery of the enemy and
happened to be looking toward their
right wing when suddenly Il white curl
of smoke sprang up there from one of
their guns, and then saw the dust fly
some distance in front where the ball
struck. INSTANTLY another, and then
another rich curl of smoke arose, sue
ceedcd by II booming sound, and then
the shot came crashing towards U.S.
The enemy fired very rapidly, and their
balls knocked the dust about US in all
| drections-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 of
iron Lieutenant Churchill and his men
began with their eighteen Founders, and
when the FIRST was fired, it made such II
loud report that our men gave a sponta-
neous shout, which seemed to inspire us
with renewed confidence. could hear
every word the Lieutenant said to his
men. When the first was fired, he
watched the ball, saying, sToo high,
men try another TOO low, men :
try again-the third time is the charm =
The third shot was fired, and | saw with
my own eyes the dreadful effect of that
and the following shots. !ThAs it, my
boys shouted Churchill, Jumping up
about two feet: you have them now .
keep her at that and so they did, and
every shot tore complete lanes through
the encmy's lines: but they stood it
n'anfully. The full chorus of battle now
ranged twenty-thrcc pieces of artillery
beched forth their iron hail.
We were ordered to lie down in the
grass to avoid the shot this puzzled the
enemy, and they could not bring their
guns to bear upon us, making our loss
very small. Many were the narrow
escapes one ball came within six inches
OF my left side. The force of the shot
was tremendous horses body was no
obstacle at all Il mans leg was a mere
pipe stem. | watched the shot as it
struck the roots of the grass, and it was
astonishing how the dust flew. In about
an hour the grass caught on fire, aud
clouds of smoke Shut out the opposing
army from our view. We had not AS
yet lost man from our regiment. In
the "bscuri'y the enemy changed their
line, and the eighteen Founders, supper
ted by our regiment, took Il new position
on little rise of ground. AS we moved
on to the spot, six pound shot carried
away the lower jaw of Captain Page, and
took off nan's head on the tight, as
clean as with knife.
The blood of poor Page was the first
blood | saw he was knocked down in
the grass, and as he endeavored to raise
himself, he presented such Il CHASTITY
spectacle that ii sckly, fain'ing >ensa-
tion came over me, and the memory of
that night | shall carry with me to my
dying day. A little later. Major Ring
gold was mortally wounded at his bat
terry | saw him just after it. The shot
had torn away il portion Of the flesh Of
his thighs its force was tremendous,
cutting off both his pistols at the locks
aud also the witbcrs of his hnrsc-a
splendid steed, which vas killed to
relieve him of his misery The enemy
tried hard, but without avail, to hit our
eighteen Founders. The buttlc contn-
ued until night put an end to the scene
We bivouacked were we were, and laid
On our arms we slept, however, but
little, thinking we might be attacked in
our sleep.
The enemy had been very severely
handled, owing to the superiority of onr
artillery. The gunncrs went into it
more like butchers than military men
each stripped off his coat, rolled up his
sleeves, and tied his su,penders around
his waist, they all wore red flannel shirts.
and therefore; were in uniform. To see
them limbering and linberng, firing Il
few shots, then dashing through the
smoke, and then to fire again with light
nng-llke rapidity, partly hid from view
by dense clowds of smoke and dust, with
their dark red shirts and naked arms
yelling at every shot they made reminded
ne of u band Of demons rather than OF
men.
! WOODEN FABRICS FOR TIE ARMY -
AS there is great discussion about the
composition of woollen fabrics for the
. army, and as the terms Commonly used
are not familiar to the generality of PEG.
pie, and as many are apt to be misled b,
ignorance, Il few words of explanation
may not be uninteresting. "Noils are
short pieces and knots Of wool, cnnbec
from long wool, fitting The latter 70,
worstcd. I hey are used for kerseys ant
blankets. " Flocks" are The refuse
scraps Of wool, and used for sarinots anc
kerseys. "Shoddy' is mostly made O