Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-29

CAPTAIN MAC D. OF OHIO DID NOT
~ attend the reunion of the "Boys in Blue
at Detroit this year. He il now fighting his
hardest battle with tenacious and painful dis
ease, and his well-known pluck and energy are
In continuous requisition. So he sits in big
arm chair upon the portico Of pretty cottage
overlooking the nations capital, and contents
himself growing at things in general and bod
lily Ills In particular, while his cart went with
the boys In their annual sncampment in far
away Detroit.
1t was while in a reflective mood and imme-
diateiy after successful struggle with his arch
enemy, rheumatism, that tho writer came upon
the captain and was invited to pull chair
alongside.
The annual encampment, Of course. was the
starting theme of conversation. but gradually
the captain weaned away and with far
away look in his deep brown eyes commenced
telling tale OF the war wherein his first laurels
were won. He said:
1T was during the siege OF Petersburg
joined my regiment in the evening. 1 found
my colonel IN his tent surrounded by several
officers. HE received me at first very blurt,y;
but when he had read my letter Of recon-
mendation from Gen. b he altered his
manner, and addressed some civil words to me-
was presented by him to my captnin. who
had that instant returned from accommodating
the movements OF the enemy. This captain,
though had scarce time to observe him, was a
taii sunburnt man. of repulsive aspect. but a
hghter In every way the name applies. He had
been private and had gained promotion after
promotion in the early battles Of the war. His
voice, which was hoarsc and weak contrasted
oddly with his almost gigantic height. They
told me afterward that he owed his strange
voice to a ball, which had cut his windpipe
across at the first battle OF Bull Run l might
add that he was from the mountain district of
East tennessee and his description will be COM
plete.
''On learning that I had come from West
Point, he made grimace aud said: My lieu
tenant was killed yesterday. l understood
what he would have added: 1t is you that
should take his place. but you are not lit An
myself.
The moon rose behind the complicated and
almost lmpregnable brcastworks of Petersburg
situated about half mile from our camp fire
II was large and red, usual at first rising.
But on that particular evening the moon
seemed to me of extraordinary size. For an
instant the rebel works stood out from the dark
night against the blood red disc of the moon.
IL looked like the cone OF . volcano at the mo-
ment of an eruption.
AN old soldier, near whom I stood. re-
marked upon the color OF the moon-'She is
very red, said he; it is sign that it will cost
us dear to take them-these famous works.
have always been supertitious and this augury
especially at that moment. affected me consid-
erably.
Il went to rest. but could not sleep. rose,
and walked about for some time in the dark
looking at the immense line of watch fires
which covered the surrounding hills and shone
fickering through the woods
when found the night air had sufficiently
cooled my block went back to my tent. But
sleep fed my eyeiids. My thoughts uncon-
scionsly assumed gloomy aspect. reflected
that had not single friend among the thou
sands around me. Ii l were wounded would
De carried to a hospital and treated without re-
sspect by perhaps ignorant surgeons. All that
had heard OF surgical operations came into
my mind. My heart beat with violence and
mechanically placed. kind Of cuirass, the
handkerchief and the portfolio which had
with me about my breast. Fatigue over
Whelmed me: grew sleepier each instant. but
some uniucky thought flashed in my mind and
L woke up again with 4 start.
But fatigue prevailed, and when tho drums
beat to arms they awoke me from a sound
sleep. We turned out for inspection and then
piled arms and said we were going to have
quiet day.
About o'clock an aid-de-camp galloped up
bringing an order. We fell into line again;
our sharpshooters spread themselves over the
intervening space: We followed them slowly.
Inc artillery began a brisk fire upon tie
enemy, who replied vigorously. and the works
around Petersburg We're very soon hid under
thick cloud of smoke.
Our regiment was almost secure against the
nre or the enemy by rising ground in our
'front.'. Their bul!ets-a rare thing for US (for
their gunners fired very accurately went over
our heads, or at most covered us with earth and
little stones.
las soon as the order to advance had been
given US my captain eyed me with a look which
Obliged me two or three times to pass my hand
over my young mustache with us unconcerned
an air as could. Indeed l was not frightened,
and the only fear had was lest any one about
me should imagine l WAS afraid. These in
offensive bullets OF the enemy still continued to
preserve my heroic calmness. My self-esteem
whispered to me that l ran real danger. and
that was under the fire OF a battery. was
delighted Mt feeling myself so much at nv
ease, and thought of the pleasure with which
1 should relate the capture of Petersburg to
my dear friends at home.
The colonel passed before our company; he
said to me, WELL sir you are soon going to
make your debut
Il smiled. with a martial air, brushing at the
same time the sleeve OF my coat, upon which
bullet, that had fallen about thirty races from
me, had sent little dust.
1t seemed that the enemy had perceived the
bad success OF their firing, for they commenced
using grape and canister, which could better
reach us in the hollow where we we're posted.
''otoOhiy a. stuuuhuS OloW huOckeU OH Cap
and ball killed the man behind me-
congratulate you,' said the captain TO me
as put on my cap again; you are safe for the
day knew of the military superstition which
holds that the axiom non bis in idem has its ap-
plication on the field of battle as well as in the
court Of justice. l put on my cap somewhat
haughtily. This causes one to salute without
ceremony, said l as gaily as l could This
wretched pleasantly. under the circumstances,
seemed excellent i wish you Joy replied the
captain; you will not be hit again and YOU will
command company this night, for feel sure
that the furnace is heated for me- Every time
that have been wounded the officer behind me
has received some mortal ball
II felt stOut-hearted now; many people wonld
have done as did, many would, like myself.
have been struck with these prophetic words
l felt that could confide my sentiments To no
one, and that ought only to appear coolly in
trepid.
Sat the lapse Of about half an hour the fire.
OF the enemy sensibly diminished and then we
sailed from our cover to march upon the
works.
'In moving out from behind the shoulder of
the rising ground which had hitherto protected
us we were met by vOlleys of musketry. which
however, did little execution among our ranks.
The whistling Of the bullets surprised me. I
frequently turned my head and TINS excited
considerable pleasantly among those of my
comrades who were more familiar than myself
with this kind Of music. Taking all things
said TO myself, a battle is not SO terrible o
thing after ALL
1--WE advanced at q running pace preceded