Connecticut western news., 1880-02-18
MEN WITH NERVE.
THE EXPLOITS OF MICHIGAN ' OLDER
 AND HIS PECULIAR GOODNESS.


 Among two or three cases that can call to mind of men with nerve that of John Melrose, trooper in tho Sixth Michigan Cavalry, is recalled. He was an undorsized, quiot spoken man, and he had that wond nerve which not three other men in tho whole brigade possessed. While acting as scout in the Shenandoah Valley he was one day eating dinner at farmhouse when in walked seven opfederate soldiers. They knew him for o Union scout, and he knew them for Confederates. A brave man would have made rush or had a fight. Melrose simply looked up as they filed in, smiled over his fix apd called out :, ...,..l
 "Ssy, old won an, put on more din- ner here snd we'll all have 0 square meal together !"
 "You are my prisoner r said the sergeant of the squad as he advanced.
 "Yes, know it, but I'll pay for Q dinner for you and your mon just the same! Sit right down and mako your selves at home."
 His nerve upset the soldiers and after @ moment they took seats at the table, forming complete circle around the board. As soon as they began to eat he began to think how to escape. It was summer, and the window behind him and ten feet away was open. If he stood up all eyes would be on him, and any ex' cuse to leave the room was not to be thought of.
 The meal was about half finished, and captors and captive were chatting away when Melrose suddenly flung himself backwards, upset his chair, and bound ed through the window. The soldiers ran out and fired at and pursued him, but he made good his escape.
 In the IIuray Valley, just before the affair known as Woodstock Races, Mel rose and his companion fell out of ranks to forage. After securing 0 supply of meat they pushed on after the column, and were riding at gallop when five bushwhackers, we'll mounted, came out of oross.road about twenty rods ahead of them.
 "We are dead mon l" said hev'scout's companion as they came to halt. | Looking back they saw four more bushwhackers climbing the fenco to take position on the highway. Melrose calm ly viewed their situation and finally said
 "We will charge them Fall in be- hind me and there will be less danger. Draw your sabre and strike hard P The other dared not try it, though he was @ brave man. He therefore kept his place as the scout dashed forward. Melrose rode straight at the men with drawn sabre, and tho volley they fired 1 went over him. He struck the line, sabred man as he passed, and soon re- joined the column. His companion was never heard of again, probably being murdered in cold blood.
 In 1864 Melrose and three other for. agers were captured in the Shenandoah Valley, taken to a small encampment and the four placed in log house under guard until their cases could be disposed of. They talked the situation over, and the bravest of them could see n hope of escape. Melrose quietly listened tc their discouraging remarks, and as quietly replied that he would be inside of the Union lines before midnight There was circle of sentinels around the building, which had no door. The sertinels paced within six feet of tht building, and the one in front could ses the prisoners through the doorway, Melrose said that if all would rush to- gether the sentinels would be confused and either hold their fire or fire wild The three men had participated ill many hard battles, and were known as brave fellows, but here they wanted nerve and nerve was what they hadn't got.
 "Very well-I will go alone P wal the quiet announcement, and as nigh came on Melrose was ready. Standing in the doorway he asked the sentine what time it was.
 "You git back thar or I'll shoot r was the prompt reply.
 "Yes-I'm going right back l" sait the scout, and he dashed upon the man hit him stunning blow, and made fol the woods. He had to run across al open field in full sight of camp, ani though it was dusk, he could be seer quite plainly for half the distance. Nor, than fifty shots were fired at him, ant then pursuit began, but he reached thu woods and made his escape.
 He was one day scouting up the val ley, having on mixed uniform, whel he suddenly came upon two feroo;ous looking guerrillas, while crossing thicl wood. They were seated on log, back to him, but at the sound of his step the, sprang up and covered him with thei carbines. It would have been bold t, bolt and take the chances of being hit Melrose never slackened his pace no changed countenance, but walked di rectly up to the men and quietly said: "I've got news for the Colonel, and want you both to go along and show m the way"
 "Who said SOP" asked one of the men
 eff I miss the way thereIl be row for this is important news" he answered "Who be you ?"
 "Oome along and ask the Colonel.
 "Well, we ain't going to tramp clea up thar. You go down to the roRd foller it for mile, and when you com to the old log stable on the right turl into the blind road"
 "Why can't one of you come along 2
 "Oh, you can't miss the way. We ar ! watching here for game"