Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-09-27
ExperIenees OF n Volunteer In Battle
--HOvS n Man Feels Under Fire.
[Ffom the PhIladeIphla American.I

HH q r. )
How \ Inau feels when in battle is a
question that our volunteers have doubt
less frequently asked themselves. We
Yesterday stumbled on n volunteer on fur
Tough, who first smelt powder at Bull
Run. During an hours chat with him he
gave us pretty good general idea of the
way in which II man feels when under an
enemy's gun. Our friend didu't claim to
be especially courageous. He placed due
value on the integrity Of the American esI-
gle, but enlisted mainly because he had no
other employment at the time. He did
camp duty faithfully, and endured the
hardships of long marches without any
special grumbling That he dreaded to.
confront the enemy he freely adnits.--
Whilsrwillidg ~ any time toS kick a man
bigger than himself under justifiable prov
ocation, he did not like the idea of the
sudden sensation Impaired by bayonet
thrust in the abdomen, while only second
to this was his horror Of being cut down By
II rifle ball like an unsuspecting squirrel.
When his regiment was drawn up in line
he adults his teeth chattered and knee
pans ratified like pot closed in a hurri-
cane. Many Of his comrades were SINH
larly affected, and s me of them would
have lain down had they dared to do so.-
When the first yoIley had been interchang.
ed, our friend informs us every trace of
these feelings passed away from him. \
reaction toOk place, and he became almost
savage from excitement, Balls whistlcd
all about him and a cannon shot cut in
half companion at his side. Another
was struck by some explosive that spat-
tered his brains over the clothes of our
informant, but, SO far frem intimidation all
these things ncryed MP his resolution
/ Eel, ole hut "a
| hour became veteran. His record shows
that he bayonetedl two of his rebel enc
mics, and discharged eight rounds of his
piece with as decisive aim rs though he
had selected turkey for his mark. Gould
the entire line of an army come at tue
same time into collision, he says there
would be no running except after hope
| less defeat. The men who played the
runaway at Bull Run were men who
had not participated in the action to
any extent, and who became panic
stricken where, if once smelling powderin
/ the manner above described, they would
have been abuudantly victorious. In the
roar of musketry and the thnndering dis
charge of artillery there is music that
bauishes even innate eowardice. The sight
of men struggling together, the clash of
sabres, the tramp of cavalry, the gore
stained grass of the battlefield, and the
coming charge of the enemy dimly visible
through the battle-smoke-all these, says
our intelligent informant, dispel every par
ticle Of fear, aud the yeriest coward in the
ranks perhaps becomes tile most tiger-like.
At the battie of Bull Run the chaplain OF
one of the regiments, man of small stat
ure and delicate frame, personally cut down
two six-feet grepadters in single combat
If these things are so-and we incline to
think they are-the best cure for coward
ice is to crowd n man into fighthnd there
keep him. The fugitives from Bnll Run
were men who imbibed panic before it
could have reached them.