Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-10-05
From DE Philadelphla North American

HOEF q Man Feels Under Fire.
How q man feels when in battle Is
question that our volunteers have doubtless
frequently asked themselves. We yester-
day stumbled upon q volunteer on furlough
who 6rst smelt powder at Bull Run. Dur
ing an hours chat with him be gave US 8
very good general idea Of The way in which
q man feels when under an enemy's guns.
Our friend didn't claim to be especially
courageous BE placed no value upon the
integrity Of the American eagle, but en-
listed mainly because he had no other en-
ployment at the time. he did camp duty
faithfully, and endured the hardships Of
long marches without any special grum-
bling. That be dreaded to confront the
enemy he freely admits. While willing at
any time 70 kick bigger man than him
self under iustifable proyoosion, he dis
liked the idea Of the sudden sensation i'm
parted by 8 bayonet thrust in the abdomen,
while only second to this was his horror Of
being cut down with 8 rife ball like an
unsusPeotiDg squirrel.
When his regiment was drawn up in
line he admits his teeth ehattered and his
knee-psns ratified like q pct closet in q
hurricane Many Of his comrades were
similarly affected, and some of them would
have lain down had they dared to do So
When the first volley had been interchang-
ed, our friend informs US every trace Of
these feelings had passed away from him.
A reaction took place, and he became al
most savage from excitement. Balls Whis-
tied al about him, and cannon shot cut
in halves G companion ct his side. An
other was struck by some explosive that
49, ~ 80,
informant but so far from intimidating,
ell these things nerved up his resolution.
The hitherto quaking civilian in half an
hour becomes g veteran. His record shows
that he bsyoneted two Of his rebes enemies,
sRd discharged eight rounds Of his pieces
with as decisive aim as Though he had se-
lected q turkey for his mark Could the
entire line Of an army come at the same
time into collision, he says there would be
no running except after hopeless defeat.
The men who played the run-aWsy at
Bull Run were men who had not partioi-
pstedin the action to any extent and who be-
came panic stricken where, If once SMELL
ing powder In the mAnner above described,
they would have been abundantly victori-
Gus. In the roar Of musketry and the
laundering discharge Of artillery there is
q music that bsnishes even innate coward
ice. The sight Of men struggling together,
the clash Of sabres, the tramp Of cavalry,
the gore stained grass Of the battle field,
and the coming charge Of the enemy, dimly
visible through the battle smoke, ali these
says our intelligent informant, dispel eE-
cry particle Of fear, and the yeriest coward
in the ranks, perhsps, becomes the most IL
ger like At the battle Of Bull Run the
r chaplain Of one Of the regiments, man Of
small stature and delicate frame, personally
out down two six foot grenadiers in single
combat II these things are so-and We
incline 70 think they are s5-the best cure
for oowardice is to crowd man into fight
and there keep him. The fugitiVes from
Bull Run we're men who imbibed panic be.
fore il could have reached them.