The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-04-14
Wonderful Nerve.

w uaG cOHSClIuIeS newer One man
will answer that it is presence of mind;
another that it is pluck; another that it
is being cool and collected in an emer-
gency. It is none of these. It is some
thing back of all them, and something
which man never has unless it was
born in him. Instances of presence of
mind were met with every day in the
army. An officer out in charge of for
ayers or on q reconnaissance would be
suddenly attacked. Presence of mind
aided him to form his men for defense.
He had that presence of mind, even
though his face was white as -four and
his chin shaking. Brave men were
common enough in the ranks. Gall for
men to face certain death, and hun
dred privates would step out at once;
yet test their @nerve" and they had
none.
Among two or three cases in mind,
that of John Melrose, trooper in the
Sixth Michigan cavalry, is recalled.
He was an understood, quiet-spoken
man, and he had that wonderful nerve
which not three other men in the whole
brigade possessed. While acting as a
scout in the Shenandoah valley, he was
one day eating dinner at q farm house.
when in walked seven Confederate SOL
diers. They knew him for Union
scout, and he knew them for Confeder-
ates. A brave man would have made a
rush or a bad fight. Melrose simply
looked up as they fled in, smiled over
his fix, and called out: .
Say, old woman, put on more dinner
here, and we'll all have square meal
together!'
"You are my prisoner!' said the Ser
geant of the squad, as he advanced.
Yes, 1 know it, but I'll pay for
dinner for you and your men just the
same! Sit right down and make your
selves at home."
His nerve upset the soldiers, and after
moment they took seats at the table,
forming a complete circle around the
board. AS soon as they began to eat he
began to think to escape. It was sum-
mer 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 captives were chatting
away when Melrose suddenly flung
himself backward, upset his chair. and
bounded through the window. The
soldiers ran out and fred at and pur-
sued him, but he made good his escape.
In the Luray valley, just before the
affair known as Woodstock Races, Mel
rose and his companion fell out of ranks
to forage. After securing a supply of
meat they pushed on after the column,
and were riding at gallop when five
bushwhackers, we'll mounted, came out
of cross-road about twenty rods ahead
of them.
1--WE are dead men!" said the scouts
companion; as they came to halt.
Looking back they saw four more
bushwhackers climbing the fence to
take position on the highway. Melrose
calmly viewed the situation, and finally
said:
Eve will charge them! Fall in be-
hind me and there will be less danger.
Draw your saber and strike hardl"
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 saber, and the volley they fred
went over him. He struck the line. sa-
bered man as he passed, and soon re-
joined the column. His companion was
never heard of again.