The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-03-12

hat constitutes nerV6( Ohe II on
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. 1t is some
thing back of all them, and something
which q 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 a 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. Call 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, q 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
scout in the Shenandoah valley, he was
one day eating dinner at a 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
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 well all have square meal
togetherP
you are my prisoner!" said the Ser
geant Of the squad, as he advanced.
"Yes, / know it, but I'll pay for a
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 complete circle around the
board. AS soon as they began to eat he
began to think to escape. 1t 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 q supply OF
meat they pushed on after the column,
and were riding at gallop when five
bushwhackers, well mounted, came out
of cross-road about twenty rods ahead
Of them.
ave 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:
"We will charge them Fall in be-
bind me and there will be less danger.
Draw your saber and strike hard
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 com panion was
never heard of again.
In 1864 Melrose and three other for.
ayers 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
no hope of escape. Melrose quietly
listened to their discouraging remarks
and as quietly replied that he would be
inside of the Union lines before mid.
night. There was Il circle of sentiLels
around the building, which had nc
door. The sentinels paced 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 together the sentinels would
he confused and either hold their fire
or fire wild. The three men had par.
ticipated in more than twenty battles
ana were known as brave follows, Out
here they wanted nerve, and nerve was
what they hadn't got.
"Very WE'LL will go alone!" was the
quiet announcement, and as night came
on Melrose was ready. Standing in the
doorway, he asked the sentinel what
time it was.
"You git back thar or I'll sEootl' was
the prompt reply.
"Yes-Pm going right back !" said the
scout, and he 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 ii
was dusk, he could be seen quite plainly
for half the distance. More than fifty
shots were fred at him, and then pur.
suit began, but he reached the woods
and made his escape.
He was one day scouting up the val
ley, having on mixed uniform. when
he suddenly came upon two ferocious-
looking guerrillas, while crossing q
thick wood. They were seated on q
loo hack tn him. but Mt the sound M