Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1861-06-27
| Soldiers Emotion In Battle,

Our citizen soldiers inexperienced in .
battle will find the most terrible momen
just before the combat begins. A soldie
in his narration Of personal adventures iu
the Mexican war, published in "Howe'
achievements Of america" }" gives some in
teresting items on this head in his descrip
tion of the battle of Palo Alto, the open
ing battle of war. -.
When all was ready both armies stood
still for about twenty minutes, each wait
ing for the other TO begin the work ol
death, and during this time, I did not see
single man of the enemy move; they
stood like statues.
We remained quiet with two exceptions
General Taylor, followed BY his staff, rode
from right to left at slow pace, with BIZ
leg thrown over like woman, AMI as he
passed each regiment, he spoke words of en-
couragement. l know not what he said
to the Others, bnt when he came up where
we stood, be looked steadily at US, and, as
he gazed, he said: "1he Jayonet, my
hearty cocks! The 6ayonet is the thing!'
The other occasion was that of Lieutenant
Blake, one of the engineers, who volun-
teered to gallop along the enemy's line,
in front of both armies, and count their
guns; so close did he 60 that be might
have been shot hundred times. One of
tho officers Of the enemy, doubtless think
ing he had some communication to make,
rode out to meet him; Blake however, paid
no attention to him, but rode on, and then
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 clammy sweat is settled all
over faces slightly pale, not from cowardly
fear, but from an awful sense of peril, COM
bined with determination not to finch
from duty. These are the moments which
true soldiers res ign themselves to their fate
and console with the reflection that what
ever may befall them they will act with
homer; these are the moments when the
moments when the absolute coward suffers
more than death-when if not certain he
would be shot in his tracks, he would turn
and flee. Fighting is very hard work; the
man who has passed through two hours
fight, has lived through great amount of
mental and physicical labor. At the end
of battle l always found that 1 had pre-
spired so profusely as to wet through my
thick wooden clothing, and when had got
cool, was as sore as if had had been
beaten with club. When the battle COM
mences the feelings undergo change
Reader, did you ever see your house 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 could never have done in your
cooler moments; you then have expert
enced some of the excitement of soldier
in battle. 1 always knew my danger-!hat
at any moment l was liable to be killed,
yet such was my excitement that l never
fully realized it. All men are not alike;
some are cool; some are perfectly wild or
crazy; others are so prostrated by fear
that they are completely unnerved-an
awful sinking and relaxation of all their
energies take place, awful to behold; they
tremble like an aspen, slink into bitches
and covert places, cry like children, and are
totally 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 9TH
er. it was remarkable to see the GOODNESS of
our men; there they stood chewing bits
of fbuiscult, and talking about the Mexicans
some wondering if they would fight;
others allowing they would, and like de-
mons, etc. kept my eye on the artillery
of the enemy, and happened to be looking
towards thir right wing, when suddenly
a white curl of smoke sprang up there
from one of their guns, and then | saw the
dust fly some distance, in where the ball
struck. Instantly another, and then an
other rich curl of smoke arose, succeeded by
a booming sound. and the shot came crash
ing toward US. The enemy fired very rap
idly, and their balls knocked the dust
about us in all directions-somew went over
our heads, other struck the ground in front
and bounded away.
Our batteries now went to work, and
poured in upon them a perfect storm of
iron; Lieutenant Churchill and his men
eighteen-poundres,and when the
first was fired, it made such a loud report
that our men gave spontaneous shout,
which seemed to 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!" !"-''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. "That's
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
enemy's lines; but they stood it manfully.
The full chorus of battle now ragged; TWEEN
ty-three pieces Of artillery belched forth
their iron hail.
We we're ordered to lie down in the
grass to avoid the shot; this puzzled the
enemy, as 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 tremen-
dous; horses body was no obstacle at
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