Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-06-06
A Soldiers Emo ton in Battle.

| Our citizen soldiers inexperienced in the bat
tie field will find the most terrible moments
just before the combat begins. A soldier in
his narration ofpersonal adventures in the Mex.
ican war, published In "Howe's achievements Of
Americans," gives some interesting items on
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
other to begin the work of death, and during
this time, did not see a single man of the en-
emy move; they stood like statues.
We remained quiet with two exceptions; Gen
Taylor, followed by his staff, rode from left to
right at slow pace, with his leg thrown over
like woman, and as be passed each regiment
he spoke words Of encouragement. know NOT
| what he said to the others, but when he came
| up to where we stood, he looked steadily at us,
l suppose, to see what effect the novel circum
| stances in which We were placed had upon us
and, as he gazed, he said: "The bayonet, m,
hardy cocks! he bayonet 10 the hing!' The 9th
er occasion was that of Lieut.. Blake, of the en-
gineers, who volunteered to galIop along the
enemy's line, in front of both armies, and count
their guns; and so close did he 90 that he might
have been shot hundred times. One of the
officers OF the enemy, doubtless thinking he had
some communication to make, rode out to meet
him; Blake, however, paid no attention to him,
but rode on, and then returned and reported to
Taylor. ....-l ..-.
Thus stood those two belligerent armies, face
to face. What were the feelings Of those thou
sands! How many thoughts and fears were
crowded into those few moments! Look at our
men! clammy sweat is settled all over faces
slightly pale, not from cowardJy fear, but from
an awful sense of peril, combined with deter.
mination not to finch from duty. These are
the moments in which true soldiers resign them.
selves to their fate, and console themselves with
the reflection that whatever may befall them
they will act with honor; these are 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 fee. Fighting ia
very hard work; the man who has passed
through two hours' fight has lived through
q great amount of mental and physical labor :
At the end of q battle, always found that
had perspired so profusely as to wet through
all my thick wooden clothing, and when had
got cool, / was as sore as if had been beaten
all over with club. When the battle COM
mences,,th feelings undergo change. Read
er, did you ever see your house on fret II 80,
1t was then you rushed into great danger; 1t was
then you went over places, climbing over walls,
lifting heavy loads, which you never could have
done In your cooler moments; you then have
experienced some Of the excitement of soldier
In battle. always knew my daDger-that at
any moment was liable to be killed, yet such
was my excitement that never fully realized
It. All men are not alike; some are cool; some
are perfectly wild or crazy; others are go pros
trated by fear that they are completely unnerv-
ed-an awful sinking and relaxation OF all their
an ar oiaa takaa nlaaa aHfnI In hahald. thau
tremble like an aspen, stink into bitches and
covert places, cry like children, and are totally
insensibe to shame-dead to every emotion but
the overwhelming fear Of instant death. We
had few, and but O few, of such In our
army.
As the two armies were facing each other, 1t
was remarkable to see the coolness Of our men;
there they stood, chewing bits Of biscuit, and
talking about the Mexicans-some wondering If
they would fight; others allowing that they
would, and like demons,>etc. kept my eye on
the artillery Of the enemy, and happened to be
looking toward their right wing, when suddenly
q white curl Of smoke spraDg up there from one
Of their guns, and then ! saw the dust fly some
distance In front, where the ball struck. Instant.
" another and then another rich curl of smoke
arose, succeeded by booming sound, and the
shot came crashing toward US. The enemy fred
very rapidly; and their balls knocked the dust
about Us In all directions 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; Lieuten-
ant Churchill and his men began with their
eighteen -pounders, and when the first was fired,
II made such loud report that our men gave Q
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 fred, he watched the ball
saying, "Too high, men, try anothern-"too
low, men; try again--the third time is the
charmw The third shot was fired, and l saw
with my own eyes the dreadful effect OF that and
the following shots. "That's IL, my boys!'
shouted Churchill, jumping up about two feet
"you hive them now! keep her at that;" and &C
they did, and every shot tore complete lanes
through the enemy's lines; but they stood II
manfully. The foil chorus Of battle now ragged
twenty-three pieces Of artillery belched forth
their iron hail.
We were ordered to lie down in the grass b
avoid the shot; this puzzled the enemy, ant
they could not bring their guns to bear upon US
making our loss very small. Many were th,
narrow escapes; one ball came within six inch
e Of my left aide. The force Of the shot wa
Tremendous; q horses body was no obstacle q
/, gtg. !. lorx q mana p,,n afox,.