The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-04-14
THE EFFECTS OF FEAR.
One of the Remarkable Stories OF the
War.

one OF the Remarkable stories OF the
Austin (Tex.) Siftings.
Not long ago three or four gentlemen were
comfortably seated in front of the Hotel
Brunswick in Austin, exchanging reminis-
cences and untruth regarding their expert
ences during the war All of these gen tie
men had fought, bled and come very near
dying in the Confederate army. Zach had
something interesting to tell about battles in
which he had been engaged. There was one
exception Colonel John Randolph Tanning,
Virginia gentleman, who had distinguished
himself on the field, listened to what the
Others said, but did not volunteer to impart
any of his own experience.
Now, it is your time Colonel" said Major
Rangoon, of North Carolina. Cant you
give us something startling? Tell us about
the Federal battery you captured at Chan
cellorsyille."
'Since you insist upon it, gentlemen" re-
piled Colonel Tanning II will relate a little
incident connected with the capture of that
Yankee battery. 1t struck me as being very
singular The story is about my horse Black
Hawk. He was, as some of you know, a Jet
black-not a white hair on him except star
on his forehead. He was splendid riding
animal but he was not precisely war-horse
like the animal described by Job. He was
more of a ladys horse than a war steed.
When he shifted the battle from afar and
heard the shouting and the noise of the cap
tains he didn't say 'Ha, hal as Jobs charger
did. He wasn't that kind of a horse"
Probably his heart was not in the struggle.
He may have been an imported Northern
horse with abolition tendencies" suggested
Major Rangoon.
mo, it wasn't that" said the Colonel
''He was naturally timid animal. This
was the first time that L had ridden Black
Hawk into battle, and the poor brute
trembled all over ! received an order to ad-
IL
battery, and then charge. Just before we
made the charge shell from the battery fell
within ten feet of my horse. He reared up
and uttered the peculiar cry OF a horse in
mortal terror. The poor fellow trembled so
that was in danger of falling. Fortunately
the shell did not explode. A moment later
was leading my regiment in headlong
charge on the battery with she'll exploding
over and on every side of US. Only one
third of my regiment survived that fearful
charge. After the battery had been captured
l noticed that all my men looked very
strangely at me and my charger l hap
pened to glance at the animal, and, gentle
men, what am stating is a solemn
fact, to my Armament, instead of being on a
the back of a black horse. 1 was riding a
white horse. Excessive fright had changed
every hair on the animal from coal black to
a snow Whitehall except the little star on
his forehead, and that had turned as
DldCh as your NAV. never Aedru Vi u Sllnl-
lar occurrence, gentlemen. 1t was very re-
markable."
"Veryl" said every one in chorus. There
was pause, quite long pause; then Major
Rangoon said:
Colonel Tanning, you have just returned
from Washington, have you not%'
Eyes"
"Did you meet Tom ochiltree when you
were at the Capital?'
81 did"
"Nuff said.'
A significant gesture, and they all followed
the Major from North Carolina into the no.
tel bar.