Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1892-08-13
GLORY OR QUINlNE2
why n Confederate Division Charged the
Federal Brcastwork.

why n Confederate Division Charged the
Federal Brcastwork.
Y'hc major was gallant officer in the
service. Indeed he is men
gioned in the army records as having
ggcen something of an inspirer of men
where desperate chances were to be
.saken.
There were a good many kinds of
in the southern ranks that
vpere little known to the boys in blue,
after whose comfort, welfare and health
n powerful government looked with
such solicitude as it might. 1t is one
'fising to be footsore, wounded, or down
with break-bone fever where we'll
stored commissariat, n government
amply able to replenish the supplies
when needed and n large corps of skilled
physicians and surgeons are at hand.
1t is quite another thing to meet with
these same Affections while fighting in
ahe ranks where povertys ghastly hand
'vEithholds not only food but medical
skill and medical supplies as well. This
was the condition of affairs in the di-
-visjon of the southern army to which
the major belonged.
lt Iucu NtIC NV iuiiS ~
They had become quite accustomed to
short rations. There We're not an un-
duo proportion of wounded sufferers;
Ibut brcall-bon fever had settled like d
pail over the entire camp; and the Pc
a:olliar form of desperation engendered
by this fact was what might be called
"A auinine mania There was nothing
the men would not do to get quinine
Some of them had been known to steal
16te carefully boarded ounce, held more
precious than diamonds, by some iso-
lated country family. Others had OBJ
tained it by dire threats from even
those whom they were protecting, and
men who were known as perfectly re-
spectacle had rcsorted to devices for
obtaining the coveted drug that would
bring IL flood of crimson to their
cheeks were it recorded against them
now.
This was the state of affairs when the
battle of which / speak took place,
where the gallant major won distinc-
zion by means of the circumstance and
r1he particular type of genius which en-
:abieG him to take advantage of and
ySurn to account u alaEnitous condition
of things.
Just at that time they were in Arlan-
saS and the fever, malignant at all
1inLes, was holding high carnival. Men
who were accustomed to the climate
rSere doggedly desperate and those to
whom it was comparatively new eX'
perience were in despair. Everybody
Evas sick and almost everybody was sui
aen. In short. it was particular in
vNpportune moment to ask for brave
deeds or expect to find heroes.
There was pretty brisk skirmish
going on which merged itself into q
battle later in the day The confeder-
sases were loading and firing-or lying
.c}n their arms according to the orders
;Given-in Il doggcd and half-dead con
eiition. They obeyed orders as machine
xnight-if the mackine was pretty near
iy worn out. The officer in command
fried to rouse tliera in rain. He shouted
no them of glory. bat the fever-cursec
rnen had no yearning TO be glorious JUS
then. He dashed along the line anC
tried to inspire thern with the idea tina
nhe protection of the homes of the
ssouth from all solts of dire disaster anC
disgrace rested uDon their shoulder!
alone. The men, shaken with ague
sized their thoughts not upon homes
alMt upon the empty drug stores o
,their beloved land-and felt that hom
would be mOclccry with empty quinn
bottles.
One officer shouted brief speech t,
fzhe reserves to tlSc effect that this wa
10 be the turning point of the war, ant
that the success or failure of the con
-fcderacy rested upon them and then
alone. The mcn sat or lay sullenly be
6Ore him, and no glcatn of enthusiasm
stirred them. Only the steady, awfu
shake of break-bDne fever occupie
sl,eir minds The confederacy was
dream. This WIS reality. The Yar
15ces were far OH. Zach man clutche
To his own breast the terrible enemy
The officers were in despair. No on
could win battlc with men so indiffe
ent and SO sullen rs these.
AT last happy thought struck tn
major. He dashed along the line wit
fresh news from The front. He told I'll
company officers ahat which put ne
Eife into thea The word was swift
passed along the line from man to ma
ms they lay in the reserve line.
The effect MAS magical. Every ma
prepared with tiiat vim and energ
Sshich means sucesss to obey the ne!
command. A battery had for Ion
rime held for tine northern troops IL
vantage ground. Behind that ugly ba
Eery were the supply wagons of the fe
eral army. The major had sent OF
word that thoSe wagons had just u