The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1861-07-26
A Soldiers Emotion in Iattie.

Our citizens inexperienced IN the bal tie
field will find the most terrible momeE,s
just before the comba. bcgus. soldier,
in his narration Of personal adventures in
the Mexican war. published in Gloves
Achievements oi Americans" gives some
interesting items on this head in his
description of tie battle O. Palo Alto, tue
opening battle OF the war.
When all was ready, both armies stood
still Tor about twenty minutes, waiting for
the other to begin the work Of death. and
during this time, did not see single
man of the enemy move; they stood like
statues.
w. remained quiet, with two exceptions;
Gen. Taylor, followed by his staff rode
from left 10 right at slow pace, with his
leg thrown over like woman; rs he
passed each regiment he spoke words of
encouragement. Il know not what he
said 10 the others, but when he came to
where We stood. lie looked steadily ut us ;
suppose, TO see what effect the novel
circumstances in which we were placed
had upon us, and, as he gazed, he said {:
'The bayonet. my hardy cocks the
bayonet is the thing % The other occa.
sion was that Of Lieut.. Blake. Of the en-
gineers, who volunteered 10 gaiiop along
the enemy's line, in front of both armies.
and count their guns /; and SO close did
he 60 that be might have been shot a
hundred times. One OF the officers OF
the encmy, doubtless thinking lie had
some communication TO make, rode out
10 meet him Blake, however paid no
attention 10 him. but rode on, and re-.
turned aud reported 10 Taylor.
Thus stood those two bcligercnt armies
face 10 face. What were the feelings Of
those thousands ? How many thoug gh!s
and fears were crowded into those few
moments Look al ourmen! clammy
sweet is settled ak over faces slightly pale.
not from cowardly fear. but from an awful
sense of peril. combined with de,ermi-
nation not 10 finch from duty. These
are the moments when true soldiers resign
themselves to their fate. and console
themselves with the reflection that what.
ever may befall them they win act with
honor these are the moments when the
absolute coward suffers more than deal
when if not certain that he would be
shot in his tracks he would turn and fee
Fighting is very hard work the man
who has passed through a two hours
6ght, has lived through a great amour,
Of mental and physical labor. AT the
end of n battle, always found that had
perspircd SO p, ofusely as to wet through
all my thick woolen clothing, and when |
had go: cool, was as sore as il | had
been beaten all over with club. When
the battle commences, the feelings un.
dergo change. Reader. did you ever
see your houses on fire il SO il was then
you rushed into great danger then you
went over places, climbing over walls,
lifted heavy loads, which you never could
have done in your cooler moments you
then have experienced some Of the ex-
ctement Of soldier in battle. always
knew my danger-that at any moment l
was liable 10 be killed. yet such was my
excitement, tha, never realized il. All
men are not alike. Some are cool some
are perfectly wild or crazy others are
SO prostrated by fear that they are com.
pletely unnerved-- an awful sinking and
relaxation Of all their energies takes place,
awful 10 behold /; they ,remble like an
aspen, slink into ditches and covert places
cry like children. and are totally insensi.
be 20 shame-dead TO every emotion but
the overwhelming fear OF instant death
We had few, and but few, OF such in
our army.
AS tho two armies were facing each
other it was remaI kab!e to see the cool.
ness Of our men. There they stood chew
ing bits Of biscuits ard talking about the
Mexicans-some wondering il 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 a white curl OF smoke
sprang up there from one Of their guns,
and then saw the dust fly somo distance
in front where the ball struck. Instantly
another, and then another. rich curl O
smoke arose. succeeded by booming
sound, and the shot came crashing toward
us. The enemy fred very rapidly and
their balls Knocked us 10 all directions -
some went over our heads. others struck
the ground in front and bounded away.
Our batteries now pouredin upon them
perfect storm Of iron LieutenaGt
| Hh,t ch;ll and his man hanaa NTH Al AZ,