Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-06-21
a soLpInR,s EMOTION IN pArrLr.

Our citizen soldiers, inexperienced 10 the battle
held, will find the most terrible moments lust
before the combat begins. A soldier, in his
narration Of personal adventures in the Mexican,
war, published in =" Howe's Achievements of
Americans, gives some interesting items OH this
head in his description of the battle of Palo
Alto, the opening battle of the war
When all was ready, both armies stood still
for about twenty minutes, each waiting for the
other to begin the work of death, aud during
this time did not see a single man of the enc
my move-tbey stoo like statues
We remained quiet with two exceptions Con.
Taylor, followed by his staff, rode from left TO
right at n slow pace, with his leg thrown over
like woman, and as ho passed each regiment.
he spoke words of encouragement know moi
what he said 70 the others, but when he came up
to where we stood, he looked steadily at us. /
suppose, to see what effect thu novel circum-
stances in which we were placed had upon us.
and, us he gazed, he said: "The bayonet NV
hardy oaks tho bayOnet is the thingm 1he
other occasion was that of Lieutenant Blake of
the engineers, who volunteered to Gallon along
the enemy's line, in front of both armies mi
count their guns; aud 50 close did he 90 tbnt Ii,
might have been shot hundred times. Ono of
the officers Of the enemy, doubtless thinking he
had some communication to make, rode ant 10
meet him Blake, however, paid no attention 10
him, but rode on, and then returned and renorf.
cd to Taylor.
Thus stood those two bellgerent armies face
to face. What we're the feelings of those thou
sands How many thoughts and fears were
crowded into those few moments Look at our
men clammy sweat s settled all over faces
slightly pale, not from cOwardy fear, but from
mn awful sense of peril, combined with "A deter.
minaiion not TO finch from duty These are the
moments in which true soldiers resign them
selves to their fate, and console themselves win
the reflection that whatever may befal them
they will net with honor these are tie moments
when ibe absolute coward suffers more than
death-when, If mot certain he would be shn,
In his tracks, he would turn and flee. Pipbtino
Is very hard work; the man who has nasse5 |
through two hours's fight has lived througb |
great amount OF mental and physical labor. Al |
the end of battle | always found that had !
perepired so profusely as to wet through ali nv
Thick woollen clothing, and when had got cooi
was as sore MS if Ind been beaten nil oyer
with club. When the battle commences Tia
feelings undergo a change. Reader, did Won
ever see your house on fire il so, it was then
you rushed into great danger; il was then yon
went over places, climbed over walls. Linn
hehVy loals which you never could have tlone
IN your cooler moments you then have experi.
cheei some OF the excitement of a soldier in
battle always knew my langer-that Al anY
moment was liable TO be killed, vet snch Wa
my excitement that never fully tealiysI IL "'
All men are not alike Some are cool, some are
peiiecuy VIVA or cfnzyi others are SO prostra
leu WIN tear HAT they are completely unueryrd
an awful sinking and relaxation Of all their