Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-08-01
4 Soldiers Emotion III Battle.

nome nts just hefre the battle begins -
\ soldier in his narration of personal
adventures in the Mexican war, publish
ed in 'llowrs Achievements of Ameri-
cans gives some interesting items on
Ibis head in his description of the battle
of PaIo Alto, the opening battle Of the
war;
When all was ready, both armies stood
still for about twenty minutes, each walt
ing for the other to begin the work of
death, and during this time | did not see
a single man of the enemy move; they
stool like statues. We remained quiet
with two exceptions: Gen. Taylor, fol
lowed by his staff. rode from left to right
al ii slow pace with his leg thrown over
ike IL woman. aud us he passed each reg
im"ut, he spoke words Of encouragement.
| know not what he said to others, but
VIXEN ne cume to where We stood. he
looked steadily at us, supposed to see
what effect the novel circumstances in
which We were placed had upon us, and
as he gaacd, he said: THE bayooa my
hWd.4 cochS ! Tile 6oyomd is tie Mi"g"
The other orcason was that Lieut.. Black
Of the engineers, who volunteered to
gallop along the encmy's line, in front
OF both armies, and count their guns;
and 50 close did he go that he might
have been shot hundred times. One
of the officers Of the enemy, doubtless
thinking hC had some communication to
make, rode out to meet him; Black how
ever, paid no attention to him, but rode
on, and then returned and reported to
Taylor.
Thus stood these two beligprent armies
face to face. What were the feelings of
those thousands? How many thoughts
and fears were crowded into these few
moments? Look at our men clAmmy
sweat settled all over the faces slightly |
pale, not from cowardly fear, but from
an awful scene of peril, combined with
determination not to tluch from duty.
These are the moments in which true SOL
dicrs resign themselves to the reflection
that whatever may heiall them they will
act with honor; these are the moments
when the absolute coward suffers more
than death--whcn If not certain he would +.
be .hot IN the tracks, lie would turn and
fee. Fighting is very hard work; the
man vino has passed thro' II two hours
fight, has lived through great amoun,
of mental and physlctl labor. At the
end of battle always found that had
pcrspircd so profusel ly as to wet through
all my thick woolen clothing, aud when
had got cool, was as sore AS if had
been beaten all over with club When
the battle conn ences the feelings undes-
&" change,
Reader, did you ever see your house
on fire? lisa, it was then you rushed
into great danger; it was then you went
over places climbed over walls, lifted
heavy oads, which you never could have
done in your cooler moments; you then
have expt rienced o ne Of the excitement
Of soldier in battle always knew
my danger--that at any moment was
liable to be killed, yet such was my ex
element that never fully realized 1t -
All men are not alike; some are cool!
some are perfectly wild or crazy; others
are so prostrated by fear that they are I
unnerved aud awful sIuking
and relaxation of all their energies axes {
place, awful to behold; they tremble like
M asp n, slinl into bitches and covered
places, cry like children, and are totally
nseusiblc to shamc-dead to every en-
motion but the overwhelming fear of in
slant death We had few, and but
few, of such in our army,
As the Two armies were facng each
1ther, it was remarkable to see the cool
ness of our men; there they stood, chew
ng bits Of biscuits, and talking about
he Mcyicans some wondering if they
would fight; others allowing they would,
md like demons, &c. kept my eye
III the artillery of the enemy; aud hap
oened to be looking toward their right
wing when suddenly a white curl OF smoke
'prang up there from one Of their guns,
md then saw the dust fly some distance
u front where the ball struck. Instant
y another, and then another rich curl Of
smoke arose, succeeded by u booming
sound, aud the shot came crashing to-
wards US The enemy lircd very rapid
y nnd their balls knocked the dust "a
bout us in all directions some went O.
YER our heads, others struch the ground
IN front and bounded away.
Our batteries now went to work and
poured in upon them perfect storm Of
ron, Lieut.. Churchill aud his men be-
yan with their eighteen Founders, and
when the first WAS fired, 1t gave such
oud report that our mcn gave spontaue-
,us shouts, which seemed to inspire US
with renewed confidence. could hear
,very word the Lieutenant said to his
men. When the first shot was fired, he
Watched the ball. saying, Too high men
ry ano,her' Too low, men; try again t
the third time is the charmr The
bird shot was fired, and saw with my
'wn eyes the dreadful effect of that and [
he following shots. hats Tiny boysl t
houted Churchill, Jumping up about
wo feet; You have them now keep her
It that; and so they did and every shot !
ore complete lanes through the encmy's +,
ines; buts.they stood it manfully Tee
ull chorus of battle now ranged: twen-
y three pieces of artillery belehcd forth
heir iron hail S
We were ordered to lie down in the
;rass to avoid the shot; this puzzled the
,nemv. and thev could not bring their i