Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-06-28


conduct could have been discovered by
his brave comrades. In fact, l was so
incensed at this last act of skulking
cowardice, so dishonorable to his gallant
regiment, that, watching an opportunity
when | could be best spared from my
post, l mounted my horse and spurred
across the plateau In the direction of the
hiding place of the craven-hearted cap
tain, with the determination of shaming
him, if possible, into sense of his out
rageous pusillanimity.
L had no sooner reached the edge of the
ravine, where could take in view of the
ground below, than l espied him snugly
ensconsed under the shelter of the rocky
wall. The shots from the enemy's batteries
and from the infantry, against which the
column of his regiment was moving passed
harmlessly over his secure retreat, though
at every rush of the missiles he ducked his
head and gave other signs Of the terror
that filled his unmanly soul.
captain JONES'" exclaimed, ''are you
wounded, sir?''
"A--a-. You here my good
friend? No, not exactly wounded-that
is, not shot-but this cOnfounded fall has
nearly knocked the wind out of me. l
believe I've broke rib or two."
81 suppose it was the wi,sd of another
baLl, sir" said /, now beginning to be
fully aroused at the fellows downright
cool effrontery.
'.Now sir, come out of that forthwith,
and join your company, or, by heaven,
III trumpet your pOltroonery to the
whole army"
"What a ma1-cap you are, dear Doc
tor. Don't you give yourself any uneasi-
ness about me, but look out for yourself,
my dear fellow. Do you see how thick
the balls of those cursed yellow-skins are
flying about you. III soon be all right
again, and shall manage to crawl out to
where my boys are fighting SO nobly. But
tell me, my friend, how goes the battle?
While l am lying here, from this unlucky
tumble, presume the regiment Is win
ming laurels,-"
At this moment perceived the General
and his staff moving directly towards the
spot where l was standing; and l now
begged the Captain for the honor of his
corps, which at that moment were heroic
ally eontending with five times their num-
bers, for the honor Of his family, not to be
found by the brave General thus Sinking
his duty, and showing the white-feather;
but before he had time to withdraw from
the spot, the General had arrived, and.
observing me alone upon the edge of the
ravine, inquired why Twas there.
could not be guilty of prevaricating,
and pointed to the ravine below, where
still remained the skulking officer.
"Who is that person, Doctor" he de-
manded, on seeing the Captain entirely
alone.
"Captain Jones, SIR" replied.
s'Is he wounded? Here, my men," call
ing to some stretcher-bearers; "assist that
gentleman from the ravine to the plateau
here" Then turning to me: "Doctor, have
the goodness to examine his injuries; and
as the General was giving some order to
one of his aids-de-camp, the men sprang
to the bottom of the ravine and. placing
their arms under those of the Captain,
dragged him to the upper world.
I Immediately proceeded to examine his
person, really hoping, in pity to him, to
find some injury, but the result was as
expected. ~
aWell, Doctor, hope he is not badly
hurt?" commiseratingly inquired the kind
hearted General.
I shook my head.
"What is it serious ?'' he asked as he
sprang from his horse and approached
the spot where the Captain was still
stretched upon the ground.
"Alas General" said, 81 am sorry
to say it-he is not injured at all, but is
as sound and well as either you or l. And,
with shame, sir, have to add, this Is not
the first time have been called upon to
examine him under like circumstances,
and with similar result"
sis it possible that craven heart beats
in an American bosom to-day? Here, ser
geant," turning to squadron of dragons
In attendance, stake this officer under ar
rest. Not a word, sir-not word from
you," as the impudent scamp attempted
To explain. 81 will not hear Q word from
you," and the brave old Rough-and-
Ready stamped passionately on the
ground. 'sBear him to the real, ,"-and
then turning to his staff. 81 would not
have believed this, gentlemen, If / had not
seen 1t with my own eyes.
At this moment, attracted by the SIGHT
of a general officer surrounded by his
staff, the enemy had directed one of his
mortars upon the spot, and as the ser
geant was about ebeying the order, an
eight inch shell burst directly over our
heads and scattered q shower of death
dealing missiles into our ranks. The ser
geaDt was killed upon the spot, and one
of the horses of Major Bliss, Tayler's
Adjutant General, was wounded.
Scarcely had the report of this shell
died away when it was followed by an
other that struck just upon the verge of
the ravine. Simultaneous with the report
a frightful shrek of mingled pain and ter
ror burst upon our ears, and the lifeless
and mangled form of Captain Jones fell
directly between the feet of ''Old Whitley"
the Generals noble war steed.
ais it possible I" exclaimed the old
chief. ''Poor fellow he has escaped q
terrible exposure; one that would have
deeply mortified his comrades, as well as
his worthy family at home. Let us hope,
gentlemen, that at the Great Court above
his sentence will be more lenient thanwould
have been the finding of Court Martial"
And forgetful of his anger few minutes
before, and wiping of an unbidden tear
for the Captains father was one Of the
Generals most intimate friends-he gave
orders for the body to be conveyed to the
rear, and waving his hand to me, moved
off to another part of the field, where his
presence turned the tide Of bat
tie which had began to surge against u.s.
s. Compton Smith, in MiIpaukee Monthly
for June.