The weekly union record., 1864-06-04
Indifference to Death.


force OF habit is the perfect Indifference with
which soldiers 60 into battle. This Is 10, a
characteristic of American soldiers more than
of English or French, probably. though it is
exhibited in q bolder relief. because our army
is composed of volunteers, generally men of iu-
telligence. of religious training, aud fresh from
the peaceful pursuits Of life. Yet the power
of adaptation to circumstances is so strong in
the American nation that within less than a
vear-oiten in six monihs-the raw recruit is
transformed into the veteran soldier, who cares
IS little for death as the grizzly Zouave and
Turcos who gave the critical stroke at Solferno.
and uea-ly wiped out their regiments in this
dangerous assault. There have been plenty Of
gallant charges in this war equal to that. or
the attack of the light brigade al Baaklava
1t is quite shocking TO fastidious mind to read,
as one often does, OF the thoughtless reckless
behavior of our troops on the evening before
battle. The order has been read which dooms
man out of Eve or six 10 death or wounds
Every man knows that he i, 10 be fred at with
rife shot. round shot. grape shot, and MIME
balls, for eight or ten hours; that be will
probably be called on TO charge fortifcation
or 10 take battery; that be will be exposed
to death during that whole time, whether he
lies down, stands still, walks, runs or rides.
There Is no escaping the risk, unless he runs
away before the battle begins, and that be has
no thosght Of doing. Now. it would be sup
posed by persons accustomed to dwell much on
the solemnities of the future, that soldiers
camp Cd the evening before battle would be
scene of meditation and mental and spiritual
preparation for the dread ordeal of the morrow;
that the regimental chaplains would seize upon
the occasion to hold religious services, which
would be generally attended by the soldiers !;
and that the only absentees would be these
who were engaged in writing last letters 10
their friends, and making their wills if they had
anything 10 leave. Nothing can be farther
from the truth than this imaginary picture. If
the evening before battle is remarkable over
other evenings in the history of camp life. it is
that the men tell more stories laugh louder
smoke more pipes, aud are generally joller than
at other times. Letters occasionally get into
print, written by officers, stating their fixed
belief that they shall die in the coming battle,
and taking sad farewell of wife and family.
If they chance 10 die, the letters are published,
and pass as "extTaordinary presentimens."
But the great ma ajority of The rank and file do
not indulge 10 these mouruful anticlpaticns,
either in their own minds or on paper. They
do not expect 10 be killed And strange as it
may seem TO US dweers in peaceful ways, that
are so careful Of our lives and limbs on all
occasions. they do not much care if they are
killed. As for the chaplain, ii must be said
with every respect for his office, be is not gen
orally sought for nor needed on the evening
before battle. His ministration, on Sunday
may be attended by the regiment, but be finds
i; hard 10 rally dozen on the more solemn
occasion to receive perhaps bis last afiectionate
counsels. 1t was stated by q gentleman, who
saw and counted the number, that out of
whole brigade the chaplain by hard persuasion
could only collect an audience of fourteen, Just
previous TO Burnside's disastrous attack on the
heights above Fredericksburg. The rest of the
brigade whistled played games, smoked, and
kicked up their heels on the grass, just as if
they were going on pleasure excursion instead
of into a tempest of shot and shell from which
hundreds of them never returned alive. Rightly
viewed, there is nothing profane or highly cen
surable in this indifference to the grave realities
of the hour. 1t is well meant on the soldiers
part, and should be accepted with the best
construction that can be put upon it. Fighting
battles 10 anticipation is worse than fighting
them in reality. "Cowards die thousand
deaths, brave men but once" The brave SOL
der may well dislike to dwell too closely on
the horrors and fatalities of the approaching
battle; and it is not surprising that be affect,
if he does not feel, an aversion 10 all ceremonial
preparations for his possible death. Criticise
or comment upon this gay Indifference to fate
as We may. it must be admitted that, when
backed by energy and endurance, it is the stuff
that wins the battleS.-Journai Of Commerce.