Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1862-11-26
Beyouet Charges.

would suppose that the desperate manu-
q hand encounters,w where the gllsteninS
steel is crossed in deadly coLhlc', were
everyday occurrences OF war; whereas
not a single instance can be found In the
history OF the war where two opposing
fore Of any considerable number nave
stood for moment at close quarters
with hi. terrible Instrument OF death
and | hardly think twenty instances
can be found in the history OF modern
warfare. THIS may seem bold state
rnent to many, but l think it can be
,ubsiantlated.
On the bloody field of Fair Gal where
Sickes' Excel Tor Brigade dispersed
,wice their number, in charge which
gained for them imperi.hable glory,
saw perhaps 1900 dead bodies. Among
them notice! three pierced by the
bayonet. Since then have myself par
,iolpated in two charges, the latter, that
Of Hooker'- division, at Manassas, Aug
10Th the most sapguinary of the war,
but al &c time was our line nearer than
ten PAGES to that OF the enemy, aud the
only two instances where l saw the bay
onet used, was that OF two rebels who
lad got in advance Of their line and re-
fused to surrender.
| have been informed by number
who participate in the grand charge OF
Hancock's brigade at Williamsburg,
that theY did not see a single man in
iured by the bayonet. At Waterloo, 1t
will be recolIec,cd, the "Old Guard"
led by w ellington himself, used the
French in final charge. The next
morning the English conld find but five
bodies on the entire field killed by the
bavonet, and yet en- English historian
graye!y relates, as an Instance OF John
Ball proves, that member OF the
Guard, giant 10 size, was surrounded
and killed, after having bayoneted live
of his advcr-arles
These facts, owever well substsnt-
ated, do not det act IN the least from The
value of the bayonet as weapon, nor
from the value OF cEaree, on' ohiy
from those demor-like exhibitions OF
passion which ncsee SO graphically por-
trayed in illustrated papers, and read OF
in Tho sensation eiiusions OF reporters,
WHO are always careful to gather their
inform alton at safe distance from al
dangcr-from skedsdding towards as
they m Ike their way TO The rear with
the played-out story that their regiment
SIS all Gu. TO pieces" These pictures
are terror TO anxious mothers AID de-
light to bar room Ioaiers, and further
more are nuisance.
Bat the impatient reader will ask
II the bayonet is so seldom used, In
what manner does it 90 often dec de the
fate vi battles aud Of nqtions: In short,
where lies its merit ?" 1t lies in lis
moral tfect, or that almost instantane-
Gus conviction OF success or defeat which
the first sight Of the glit.ering steel in
spires. The attacking patty always has
the advantage In tina, particular, for it
is reasonable t. suppose that they know
the number and weak points OF the par
ty to be attacked, while the az proach of
y force on the charge at double quick,
it'll the terrific veil that Usually attends
such movement, gives one An exsg-
gerated idea OF its number. Therefore
it is oftener than otherwise the party
attacked breaks and runs, after discha,g.
ing their pieces at short range. Bat
should they make determined s,and,
the chances are that the attacking part,
would themselves halt and contest the
ground with powder aud ball.
Thus the bayonet, although seldom
drawing blood, performs an important
part in most every engagement.
1t is quite impossible adequately to
describe the variety Of sensations bay
onet charge produces on Que who par.
ticipates i'll it, it is so governed by at
tending circumstances. II it occurs at
an early hour in the engagement, when
the soldier feels fresh ard high spirited,
he will spring forward with enthusiasm
at the order, confident Of an easy victo-
ry; but il it occurs at later hour,
when he has been long and hotlv en-.
gagged against heavy odds-with com
radcs filling around him, and when
exhausted nature is only sustained by
an order to charge is
anything but welcome, and the deciu at
cd lire moves forward, silent determina
ton and revenge stamped on every
countcnance, till "A voIIey from the ,ne-
my deals death on all sides, arousinc the
sternest qualities Of manhood, AMI with
a dcafeDlng yell all rush forward. either
to be checked and discounted by a
second voley, or to follow dsorgan>
lzed, retreating fee.
1t is amusing to soldier to see on
what precise mathematical lines news
paper artists make their charges, as if il
were possible for brigade OF exhausted
men to advance across fields, through
woods and over fences, maintaining any
thing like regular line. Nothing 10
uearer an impossi5lity. A charge is
more Ike the rush of an excited, inturi
ated mob through the streets Of a large
city, those with the most p uck ana the |
longest legs leading off, 1t is particu-
laEly difficult in Virginia, where there is |
so much woodland, TO maintain a good |
organization after once becoming el-
gagged.
EXTRAORDINARY Snow FALL.-A let. |
from Mauch Chunk, Penn, Nov. {,