Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-03-06
INTREPID HEROES.
A Most Striking Exhibition OF Presenc'
of Mind aud True Courage.

A Most Striking Exhibition of Presence
of Mind aud True Courage.
In Captain Cases story of the BATTLE
OF the Mine" which was fought in front
Of Petersburg, Va, July 80, 1854. the
nameless private soldier, ito whom God
had given a dark skin but a brave heart
and a powerful physique" While the
Confederates were forcing back the
Union troops, this man deliberately
stepped over the breastworks, shot the
foremost Confederate. and then clubbing
his musket, despatched the next two
with its butt. The musket broke at the
second blow. He threw it away with a
look Of disgust, and came back amid a
shower Of bullets unframed.
Concerning some still nobler deeds Of
bravery, Captain Case cites the testi-
mony OF General Griffin.
General Grant had ordered a retreat,
but the enemy had cross fire on the open
field over which we must pass, and the
attempt was almost sure TO be fatal to
any who should risk it.
Our poor boys we're lying in the crater
in the burning sand under a July sun.
Many OF them we're wounded, and all of
them we're suffering agonies of thirst.
Some were absolutely dying for want of
water. While things were in this con
dition, soldiers would come to their COM
manding officers and ask leave to go to
the rear for water-to pass through that
terrific shower of bullets and cannon
shot, and bring back water for the
wounded
Eyes" the officer would say, take as
many c~anteens as you can we'll carry,
and CO."
This reply was given more with the
hope OF saving that soldier from being
captured where he was, OF giving him a
chance to run for his life, than with any
expectation of seeing him return, for the
probability was that nearly all would be
either captured or killed, and it was
thought too much to expect of any sol
der that he should voluntarily pass
twice through almost certain death af-
ter having once escaped.
Soldier after soldier came with this
request, and vas answered in this man
ner. In due time one of them was seen
%clambering over our lines below, loaded
down with well-flled canteens.
What shouts and hurrahs from those
parched throats greeted the brave fell
low as he dashed towards us through
the leaden hall What blessings he re-
ceived, as he came among us and dis
tributed the priceless beverage among
the wounded who we're dying of thirst
Presently another Of those heroes
comes over the parapet with his burden
of canteens. He, too, starts to join us
with all the speed of which he is capa-
BILE, but ere he has passed half way
across that deadly field he throws up his
arms and goes down with the unmistak-
able thud of death.
Quick as thought a y-ung soldier dashes
out from among US, rushes across the
field, seizes the oanteens from the body
Of the fallen man, starts back to Join us,
but is shot down before he has made a
dozen yardsl
But see! he is up again, with indom-
table pluck, ana M in with his
precious freight only slightly wounded.
The shouts rise louder than ever.
Then another ome over the parapet
and succeeds in reaching us. Another
attempts it, and fails. / believe that
every one of those noble fellows return
ed with his gallons of water, or fell in
the attempt. 1t was to me the most
striking exhibition of heroism and true
courage that l saw during the whole
war.-Youth's Companion.