Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1866-06-22

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paign l177-S. Atiacl.et o n cof1pn1y
10 which he be orc AXIS \ rixaft sa'dies,
an invctcrate stssll 6ss.es soar. eaarbe1.
perpetuaily disgruntIed about something5
ou' wno' nevertheless was never suspects
cd OF leaning toward the enemy, and
had always done his duty MS good soldier
OF the Continental army. On one occa-
sion, lieutenant and part Of his COM
pany, including the subject Of this story,
were out on a scouting excursion, instruct
ed to watch the movements of body Of
the enemy who were prowling in the vi
! cinity. 1t was very warm day, and the
party, after three hours tramp, came in
sight of the foe who, being in greater
numbers than was anticipated, compelled
the lieutunant and his men "to use the
better part of valor," and prepare for .
retreat. On this .Old Grouty," ms he
was called, lowered his musket, broke
forth into TRADE against military duty
in general and scouting in particular, and
finished by declaring that he had done
enough for one day, and was determined
to remain where he was for the remain
der Of it. To the representations Of his
comrades that he would be captured by
the enemy, he replied that such an event
would be preferable to any further excr-
tion, and stay he would and el,ide 'as -
suit. After exhausting aressaens Au.l rns
treaty, the lieutenant inform sa 'rst
rather than suffer him to tatsea ny tho
British and give them Il asiofs
they would seek concerning ssr sets u
he persisted to remain, be i.ssl s,lt's Am
in order to secure the genel I sase rAu
reply was, Shoot and be ksnged sRslii
remain where am"
On this hurried convcr ssi6a was held
by the officer with his men, sud il was ~
solved to experiment with him, and avoid
if possible the sacrifice of his life. He
was told to take his seat on log in the
woods where they then were, and to avoid
alarming the enemy by general volley,
single soldier from behind was to send a
bullet through his heart. The announce
ment was received with dogged resigna-
tion and an unaltered purpose. All being
ready, the soldier detailed as executioner,
at the word Of command, fired a blank
cartridge, while by pre-arrangement q
8 second threw pebble at the spot intend-
and the lieutenant approached, expressed
his opinion that the wound was mortal.
and his sorrow that his duty compelled
him TO the measure, bade him adieu, and
then led his party to the rear to watch the
result.
The martyr to stubbornness lay for
some time uttering an occasional groan,
varied with maledictions upon the service,
his fate, the redcoats, and his companions.
His wrath toward the latter seemed to be
kindled by the bungling manner IN which
til y had done their duty, leaving him to
lingering death instead Of dispatching
him at once. AT length with a dolerous
exertion, he raised himself upon his elbow
and looked over and beneath his shoulder,
as though to determine the nearness Of
his exit by the quantity of bio d that hsd
issued from his wound. apparently as-
tonished at finding none, he next with
slow, but seemingly less painful move
nIefssr,- oomm-ncrd ftriiwg sbsayinsl lris b<lglI
for traces of the bullet hole. Unsatisfled
with this he raised himself 10 q sitting pos
ture and with much exertion took Oft his
coat, and finding no perforation the truth
and The trick flashed upon him a oacs,
when seeing some stragglers OF the enemy
in the distance, he started up, seized his
musket and ran, as none had ever seen
him run before, towards the American
lines. He arrived long in advance Of the
leutenant and his party, who had never
occasion TO censure his bafled subordinate.