The dollar weekly bulletin. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1862-1864, 1862-09-18
A Rabbit in a Battle.
a 1NdOpIC III q Battle.
AN INCIDENT ON THE Battlefield OF

| MALVERN HILLS.
A full grown rabbit had hid itself away in
the copse of fence, which separated two
helds near the center and most exposed por-
ton OF the battle-ground. Rabbits are wont
to spend the day almost motionless and in
seeming dreamy meditation: This one could
have had but little thought-if rabbits think
when choosing its place of retreat at early
dawn, that ere it was eventide there would
be such an unwonted and ruthless disturb
ance.
During all the preparations for battle mad e
around its lair throughout the forenoon, it
nevertheless remained quiet. However
early in the afternoon, when the rage Of bat
tie had fairly begun. and shot and she'll
were falling thick and fast in all directions,
shell CHANGED to burst so near to mister
rabbits hiding place that he evidently con =
sidered it unsafe to tarry longer. So, frigh-
tened almost to death, out he springs in
to the open field, and ran hither and thith err
with the vain hope of finding safe retreat.
Whichever way it ran. cannons were thun
dering out their smoke and fire, regiment of
men were advancing or changing position,
horses galloping here and there. shells burst
ing. and solid shot tearing up the ground
Some times it would squat down and lie
pc rfectly STILL when some new and sudden
danger would again start it into notion
Once more it would stop and raise itself as
as high as possible on its hind legs. and look
all round for some place of possible retreat
At length that part of the field seemed
open which lay in the direction opposite
from where the battle ragged most fiercely.-
Thither it accordingly ran with all its re-
naming speed. Unobserved by it, how
ever, a regiment was in that direction, held
in reserve, and. like Welington's at Water
loo, was lying fat on the ground, in order TO
escape the flying bullets. Ere the rabbit
seemed aware, it had jumped into the midst
Of these men. 1t could go no further, but
presently nestled down beside a soldier and
tried to hide itself under his arm. AS the
man spread the skirt Of his coat over the
trembling fugitive, in order to insure it all
the protection in his power to bestow, he no
doubt feelingly remembered how much he
him self The needed some higher protection,
under the shadow of whose arm might be
hidden his own efenseless head from the
fast multiplying missiles Of death scattered
in all directions
1t was not long, however, before the regi
ment was ordered up and forward. From
the protection and safety granted, the timid
creature nad evidently acquired confidence
in man-as the boys are wont to say, had
been tanned As the regiment moved for
ward to the front Of the battle, it hoped
along, tame, seemingly, as a kitten. close at
the feet of the soldier who had bestowed
the needed protection.
Wherever the regiment went. during all
the remaining part of that bloody day and
terrible battle, the rabbit kept close besid c
its new friend When night cams on, and
the rage Of battle had ceased it finally. un
molested and quietly, hoped away, in order
to ind some one of its old and familiar
haunts.