The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1874-02-19
How L Became a Hero.

It is acknowledged by all who
know me that am hero. 1t was a
great relief TO me when the fact was
ascertained, for it gave me conf
dence in myself that 1 did not before
possess. had long doubted wheth-
er that identity known to its fellows
as Edward Brandon was a brave man
or coward, but in my first battle
the doubt was removed. the matter
made clear, the fact OF my bravery
was established, numbers witnessed
it, and the general made it public.
Let me call the details, and see
what claim have to the honorable
distinction.
A private in q battalion OF cavalry,
Aanking the right of column of in
fantry and quietly watching the
dense bodies Of the enemy as they
steadily moved up into position for
opening the terrible conflict, their
bright arms glittering and flashing
in the unclouded rays Of clear
morning sun, I had not the respon-
sibility Of command to distract my
thoughts from the consideration Of
personal danger, and I remember
calculating the chances Of my being
one of the first victims when the
black-mouthed batteries of the foe
should beich forth their messengers
of death. Though | sat quite firm
and still, ! felt very i'll at ease, and
looking around upon my comrades,
! saw many pale face and quivering
lip, which convinced me their
thoughts and feelings we're similar
to mine.
Why could we not advance }? Why
must ace remain there, like so many
statues, and let the iron hail strike us,
nth all our cold, shuddering refec-
tions upon usi Oh, for action-ac-
ton of some kind to ,Uard off the
thoughts that pere secretly making
us tremble like copards! We're zoe
co,oardsi Should zoe break and run
at the first sight of bloodi There
'cas no telling, for ,oe ,oere yetas un.
tried soldiers and scarcely a man
among us had the right to say that
he could stand fire. Ho,c pas it
soith veterans Did they feel as zoe
felt ,ohile waiting for battle to be-
ginf
The suspense was apful and every
minute made il soorse. Why did
not one side or the other fire, and
break the paralizing dreadi But no.
Marching. marching, moving here,
there and yonder, all except our col
umn, ,ohich had.. d..got into position too
soon, and must no,o tcait idly for the
dread messenger of destruction, like
30 many sheep in the butchers pen
Gradually the whole field began to
settle dozen into q death-like quiet,
and at last the taco armies stood pas
sively face to face, catching each 9TH
or in that ominous silence rhich
precedes the bursting of the tempest.
And then l tcould have given half
my life, sohatever that might be, to
have been safe at home. SO much
for that courage which men nov ap-
pland, and tchich il said TO have ,oon
me such honorable distinction.
From my position on elevated
ground / could see the headquarters
of the expressing army, .cith mount
ed officers prancing and curvotting
around o centre, Which I knew to be
the commander-in -chief-the single
human being ~ho was TO direct that
host amid tho roar, and rush, and
carnage so soon TO be. All, cool
should be the brain and great the
skill OF him soho 10 the thinking
principal Of such . mighty mass
vhoss soill may be the fAts Of hum
dredA perhsps Of thousands, per-
haps Of 8 nation itself.
There was now . deep and awful
eilsnos Of perhaps . minute. - II
eaeh comm1ndsr dread1& 10 T. the
arst 70 opon ~ work q dooAht md