The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1880-06-05
NERVE.

is pluck; another that it Is being cool
and collected in an emergency. 1t is
none of these. 1t is something back Of
all of them, and something which a
man never had unless it was born in
him. Insta noes of presence of mind
were met with every day in the army.
An officer out in charge of foragers or
on reconnaissance would be suddenly
attacked. Presence of mind aided him
to form his men for defence. He had
that presence of mind, even though his
face was as white as -four and his chin
shaking. Brave men were common
enough in the ranks. Call for men to
face certain death and hundred priv
ates would step out at once, yet, test
their "nerve" and they had none.
Among two or three cases in mind,
that of John MelroseI trooper in the
Sixth Michigan Cavalry, is recalled
He was all under. sized, quiet spoken
man, and he had that wonderful nerve
which not three other men in the whole
brigade possessed. While acting as
scout III the Shenandoah Valley he was
one day eating dinner at farm house
when in walked seven Confederates.
A brave man would have made a rush
or had fight. Melrose simply looked
up as they filed in: smiled over his fix
and called out:
"Say, old woman, put on more din
ner here and we'll all have a square
meal together %
"You are my prisoner - said the
sergeant of the squad as he advaticed.
eyes, 1 know it,but I'll pay for din.
ner for you and your men just the same
Sit right down and make yourselves at
home"
His nerve upset the soldiers, and af-
ter moment they took seats at the
table, forming Complete circle around
the board. As soon as they began to
eat he began to think to escape. 1t was
summer, and the window behind him
and ten feet away was open. If he
stood up ull eyes would be on him, and
any excuse 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.
fh the Laury Valley, just before the
affair known as Woodstock Races, Mel
rose and his companions fell out of
ranks to forage. After securing a sup
ply of meat they pushed on after the
column and were riding at a gallop
when Eve bnshwhackers, well mounted,
came out Of cross road about twenty
rods ahead of them.
eve are dead meni" said the scouts |
companion as they came to halt.
Looking back they saw four more
bushwackers climbing the fence to take
position on the highway. Melrose
calmly viewed their situated and finally |
said
awe will charge them! Fall in behind
me and there will be less danger. Draw
your saber and strike hardl''
The other dared not try 1t, 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 frel
went over him. He struck the line,
sabred d man IS 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.
ayers were captured ia the Shenandoah
Valley, taken to small encampment,
and the four placed in a log guard
house until their cases could be dispcs-
ed Of. They talked the situation over,
and the braVest of them could see no
hope of escape. Melrose quietly listen.
ed to their discouraging remarks, and
as quietly replied that he would be in.
side If the Union lines before midnight.
There was a circle of sentinels around
the building, which had no door. The
sentinels placed within six feet of the
building, and the one in front could see
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 in more
than twenty battles, and were kuowa
as brave fellows, but here they needed
nerve, and nerve was what they hadn't
got.
"Very well-I will 60 alone!" was
the quiet announcement, and as night
came on Melrose was ready. Standing
in the doorway he asked the sentinel
what time 1t was.
"foh git back thar or III shootl"
was the prompt reply.
"Yes-I'm going right backl" said
the scout, and be dashed upon the man,
hit him stunning blow. and made for
the woods. He had TO run across an
open field in full sight of camp, and
though it was dusk, he could be seen
quite plainly for half the distance.
More than fifty shots were fired at him.
and then pursuit began, but he reached
the woods aud made his escape.
He was one day scouting up the val
ley, having on a mixed uniform, when ,
he suddenly came upon two feroeious
looking guerillasi while crossing thick {
wood. They we're seated on log, ,