The Daily empire. (Dayton, Ohio) 1865-1867, 1866-04-26
Power of the ImaginatiOn--A Rev
81 .if1ga OlItiOnary AnecdOte.

My grandfather, q revolutionary soldier, !
was accustomed TO relate Che following
apiong the Incidents OF his experience dur
ling "the war':' ti'I I19J aErG 1e.i,, b,
It was during the famous Jersey cam
paign, 1777SS.-s Attached to the company, to
which he belonged was private soldier,
an inveterate fault finder, sour, grabbed,
,pcrpetually .'disgruntled" about something,
but who, nevertheless, was never suspected
of a leaning toward tle enemy, and had al
ways done his duty as good soldier Of the
continental army. On one occasion lieu
tenant and part of his company, including
the subject of our story, were sent out on
sconting excursion, instructed 10 watch the
movements Of body Of the enemy who
were prowling in the vicinity, IL was a
very. warm day, and the party, after three
hours tramp, came insight of the foe, who,
being inigreater numbers than was antieipa-
ted, compelled the lieutenant and his men
to use ''the better part of valor,' and pre-
/ pare for retreat. On this sold Grouty,"
ashe fYascalled, lowered his musket, broke
forth into a TRADE against military duty in
general and scouting parties in particular
and finished by declaring that he bad done
I enough for one day aud was determined TO
remain where he was for the remainder of
1t. To the representations Of his comrades
that he would be- captured by the enemy,
he replied that such an event would be
I preferable to any further eXertion, and stay
he would and abide the result. After eX-
hausting argument and entreaty, the lieu
tenant informed him that rather than sur
fer him to be taken by the British and give
them the Information they would seek con-
cerning our forces, If he persisted Ia his de-
termination to remain, he must shoot him
In order to secure the general safety. The
reply was, ''Shoot and be hanged; i shall
stay where | am"
On this hurried consultation was held
by the officer with his men, and it was re-
solved to experiment with him, and avoid,
II possible, the sacrifice of his life. He was
told to take his seat upon login the woods
where they then were, and, to avoid alarm
Ing the enemy by general yolley, asin-
gle soldier from behind was TO send a bull
let through his heart. The announcement
r was received witha d0gged resignation,
aud an unaltered purpose. All being ready,
: the soldier detailed as exeeutioner, at the
, word of command, fired blank cartridge
while, by pre-arrangement, second stimuli
, taneously threw small pebble srnartly Al
the spot intended to be hit The man fell
and groaned, and the Lieutenant approach
ed, expressed his opinion that the wound
was mortal, and his sorrow that his duty
compelled him TO the measure, bade hin
adieu, and then led his party to the rear
where they concealed themselves TO watci
the result. tal
vi
1 time. altering an occasional groan, varles
: with inaiedfctiens upon the service, hi
i fate, the red-coats and his comrades. HI
Z wrath toward the latter seemed to be kin
9 died by the bungling manner In whiel
|. they had performed their duty, leaving HIN
to A lingering gaeath, Instead of dispatch
d. ing him at once, At length. with dolor
.iI Gus exertioIl, be raised himself on hisel
bow and looked over and beneath his shoul
4 der as through 10 determine the neariles
n OF his exit. by the quantity of blood tina
had issued from his wound Apparentl,
y astonished at finding none, he next wit
i slow butseemingly less painful movements
Z commenced feeling behind. his back 70
: the bullet-hole. dissatisfied with this, b
raised himself TO sitting posture ant
!. with much cxertion, took of his coat an
finding no perforation, the trick fiashe
upon him at once, when, seeing some straP
giers of the enemy In the distance, h
N seized his musket and ran, as none had eve