Connecticut western news., 1885-11-11
OF TWOCORPORALS
An Ex-Confederate' Remin-
 iscence of the War.
Why the Hatred of One Man for Another
 Turned to Affection

You must know that I belonged to the Fifteenth Alabama infantry, and that we went to the front pretty early in the war. We thus had our pick of good men. In my company the third corporal was powerful big chap named Sam Chapin, who had been overseer on a plantation near Hunts vile. He was not only big and pow erful but his habits had made selfish, overbearing and cruel man of him. He hadn't been in the company week before half the men were down on him for his meanness.
 Big Sam also had his dislikes, but there was one man he hated in partic- ular. shouldn't have said man, for he was only boy 17 years old-slim, pale-faced and as timid in look as a girl. Sam took hatred of this boy on sight, and he let no occasion pass to nag him and render his hard lot still harder. Jimmie, as the boy was called. had no complaint to make. He was of forgiving disposition, and no matter what he felt or thought, we never heard him condemning anybody by word of mouth. Some of us would have killed Big Sam had we been in Jimmie's place, but such a thing as striking back seemed never to have occurred to the boy. We'll one day when a part of our regiment was cut off from the brigade by a flank move ment of the Union troops, and our situation was desperate, our captain steps out and says;
 "Boys, I want to send word to Colonel -. Where's the man who'll take it?"
 He was looking right ut Big Sam all the time, but that individual turned two shades winter, and hid himself in the rear ranks, muttering that nobody but fool would try to push past 5000 Yankee muskets with the message. The first thing we knew Jimmie had mounted horse from which some of ficer had been shot and was riding away. How he ever ran that gaunt- let with his life was more than could tell, but he did get through, and down came enough of our forces to help us out of the box.
 This was new cause for Big Sam to hate Jimmie. The boy had not only exhibited greater courage in the face of danger, and right before us all, but he was promoted to second corporal. This was promotion right over the head of Big Sam, and he felt it to the ends of his fingers. He couldn't nag the boy any more, and have no doubt he swore solemn oath to kill him at the first opportunity. Indeed, he hinted as much, and became so ugly and abusive to all that some of us wanted to kill him.
 Well, in about six weeks we had another tussle with the Tanks. We got into it hot and heavy. and as we were driving them for the moment l found myself alongside of Big Sam. We were disputing for rise of ground, and far in advance of us, carrying the flag which the color bearer had dropp- ed as bullet had hit him, was Corpo- ral Jimmie. I was feeling proud to see him there, when, as heaven is my judge, saw Big Sam raise his musket take deliberate aim at the boy, and next moment Corporal Jimmie went down.
 It was hurlyburly time, with grape and lead cutting all around us, and let the incident pass for time, de termined, though, that Big Sam should pay the forfeit after the battle.
 We kept on and on, but as we rose the hill we were checked. In fV' minutes more we were being driven and that was how it came about that Corporal Jimmie, with his left arm broken by Big Sam's bullet, found himself lying beside the ex-overseer who had Yankee bullet i'll his leg There were plenty of others wounded and some dead ones, too, but our twt men lay almost side by side. Big San was grooming, cursing and whining like the coward he was, when a can teen was held within reach and Yoic said:
 "Take it, comrade-a drink vii ease your pain"
 what. is it you?" exclaimed tn overseer as he rose up on his elboy and gazed at Jimmie.
 "Yes; both of us are down, but yo, are hit the worst. Can help you p
 "You help mel"
 "Of course"
 It paralyzed Big Sam to meet wit
 such words from the man he had trie
 to kill. After time he groaned out
 Say, Jimmie, you orter shoot m through the head"
 "What for?"
 Cause, Pm the man that fired tha , bullet into you"
 Well, don't want revenge. IT
 now able to crawl away, but I won leave you"
 } The Tanks were rassing artiller to play on the rise of ground and whs does Corporal Jimmie do but get up
 the face of all tue sharp,shoOters an