The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-11-28
LITTLE PAW PAW

LITTLE PAw-PAw.
Frank haywood was decided
blonde, bright, erratic, impatient and
impetuous. He had a contempt for
enemies old soldiers never feel. He
was as impatient as child over the
slow movements OF the army. The
will to do, the soul 20 dare was the
first plank in the soldiers platform.
On one occasion she was on duty with
picket guard stationed on a mount
ain road about mile from camp, a
river separating the reserve from
camp. The post was dangerous
one, and the greatest watchfulness
was required to prevent surprise
from the enemy, who virtually held
possession of the road, at an abrupt
turn not 200 yards from the front
Near this turn or point was a heavy
growth of pawpaw bushes bearing
fruit of much better quality, it was
agreed by adventurous spirits, than
grew at any other point.
haywood had had a dozen advent
ures in the pawpaw thicket, because
the enemy rarely failed to fire at
every man who dared to enter the
bounds thereof. Escaping each time
uniniured, he became fearless. His
contempt for enemies increased, and
he inclined TO the opinion that the
bullet was meyer made that could hit
him.
On one occasion, after being reliev-
ed of nights arduous duty, Bay
wood threw his gun over his shoul-
der, and asking his comrade to wait,
proceeded to make his accustomed
raid on the pawpaw thicket. He
plucked his pawpaws without inter
ruption, and proceeded on his way.
plucking, tasting and putting them
in his pocket.
Suddenly As a rocks huge point he
turned be came upon Il squad OF
the enemy formed in order, and with
muskets raised to fire.
Instead of so doing, he clubbed his
rifle, and, with a sweeping stroke,
aimed to strike down the line of mus
kets, he saved himself but did not
injure the enemy. He felt as though
thousand bullets had torn through
his hair and clothes, for five muskets
had exploded as he struck his sweep
ing blow.
He turned to run Immediately,
but another squad fired at him, and
Baywood's companion saw him fall,
roll over, spring half up, pitch for
ward and then roll down a deep de
scent in the road like dead man,
the enemy following at a run. Quick
as thought they charged up the road
to rescue their comrade, but scarcely
had they fred their first voliey when
haywood, bleeding and dirty. tum-
bled down among them, gun still in
his hands and pawpaws still IN his
pockets, but mashed to a Jelly.
Both parties retired, and the bat
teries in camp which had wheeled
into position on the river bank, re
tired again to the fort above. Franks
left arm had been literally crushed
by bullets and by his fall among the
rocks, and in an hour after his ad-
venture he was a one armed man.
The next morning Frank slipped
away from the hospital and crawl
ed over to his quarters. He recover
ed rapidly and refused to leave the
service for a few weeks. The fact
that he had received so severe
wound in so unsoldierly foray and
before the regiment had beer in bat
tie had its effect, and he determined
to do his duty as a soldier in some
way. This determination and his
misfortune made all the regiment
his friends. officers as well as prl-
yates. and he was assigned TO such
duty as he could perform. He re-
ce;ved at once the name of Little
Pawpaw," and carried it through the
war
At Stone river he was an orderly
carrying messages and orders. Press
ing to the front to deliver an order,
be had his horse shot under him,
and then as he plunged recklessly
forward, received a wound that
brought him down. The battle field
was that night in the possession of
the enemy, or was sort of disputed
ground, so tie wounded received no
attention.
haywood had fallen in a cedar
thicket where the fight had been
most furious, and the dead and
wounded lay thick about him. He
had seen the men now disabled,
dash at each other with faces furious
with passion and hate and with
hoarse voices believing brutal ours
e.. These men now lay where they
fell, as calm in their common suf-
fering as the sick children of the
same mother rest on the same bed.
Two men who had taken deliberate
aim at zach other, at short range,
and fred almostat the same instant,
both fell dangerously wounded.
Hours after, as the cold, hazy moon
light came down upon them, the
means of one for water caused the
other TO move toward him. Disa-
bled as he was this was a difficult
undertaking. His slow crawling was
ike the approach Of snail, and for
minute after minute his enemy of
the battle hour watched this slow
approach with an anxiety that was
almost wiidness. At last they met
and the almost exhausted soldier,
with his good arm, held his canteen
to the fevcIish lips of the other,
knowing that he had fred the shot
that had SO severely wounded him.