The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-11-16
ward him, and return his very polite, but


perez! about. and his brothers iu arms Mt
first began TO treat him with marked cool.
ness But his fund Of wit and good hunor
was so great-and his having before been
so great u favorite with all who knew
hlni-iind besides his really soldierly uuali
Ties oelhS SO numerous they readily by q
tacit agreement determined to throw tho
veil OF charity over the affair In a few
months 1t was nearly forgotten; and ut all
events ceased to form subject of camD
conversation
But we were no sooner in for it at the
nercely contested field of Buena Vista. and
the round shst and copper grape of the
enemy halleu furiously into the head OF
our advancing columns and our brave fell
lows began to drop like grass before the
mowers scythe, than observed an officer
Of the Blank regiment spring suddenly
forward as if mortally wounded into a mar
row ravine, upon the brink of which it had
arrived
There" thought l, goes another noble
fellow to his long home" But when
1eard the word passed from mouth to
mouth along the line, Its Captain r.
poor fellow" | reserved my sympathy for
more deserving objects, well satisfied in
my mind that he for that time was in safe
quarters. But shortly after his comrades
1ad crossed the ravine and successfully
charged the batteries on the other side
distinguished that officer emerging eau
;lously from the smoke that filled the
gorge and joining his company, and with
cap in one hand and sword in the other he
cheered AMI huZZaed as vociferously rs the
bravest man there
NO sooner, however, did his column re-.
ceiVe an order TIC attack another position
OIL the enemy, where the guns were belcb-
ing forth torrento of grape and canister.
than again caught a moment from nv
own immediate duties to look after Can
tain b., for felt IN unaccountable c,lros-
ity in regard to his motions. But this
time could not see him ut the head of his
company. Presently however, l again
perceived his peculiarly 1.-the and hand
some figure gliding cautiously along the
broken ground and once more seeking the
shelter of the gorge. My Indignation was
now so great that would have reioiced
to see him fall pierced with wounds. In
TACT, was so incensed Mt this last act, so
dlsgraceful to his gallant regiment, that,
watching an opportunity when l could be
pest spared from my post, mounted my
morse and spurred across the plateau in the
direction of the skulkng place of the
craven hearted captain, with the determi-
nation of shaming him, if possible, to
sense of his cowartlly conduct.
had no sooner reached the edge of the
ravine where / could take in view of the
ground below, then l cspied him snugly
snsconsed under the shelter Of the rocky
wall
Captain b." l exclaimed, "are you
wounded, STRIP
"A-a-you here, my good friend? No, not
exactly woundcd-that is, not shot-but
fall hns ,,I,, l.
the breath out of me. l believe, doctor,
have broken II rib or two"
""Twas the wind of another ball, sir,
reckon" said /, now beginning to be really
amused at the fellows downright cool eff
frontcry. Now, sir, come out of that
forthwith and rejoin your company, or,
by heavens. I'll trumpet your base pol
troonery to the whole army"
At this moment perceived the general
and his staff moving directly toward the
spot where / was standing, and now
actually begged the captain, for the honor
of his corps, not to be found by the brave
general thus Sinking his duty. But be-
fore he had time to withdraw from the
spot the general had arrived, and observ-
ing me thus alone on the edge of the ravine,
inquired why was there. would not be
guilty of prevarication, and pointed to the
ravine below, where still remained the
skulking officer.
WHO IS that person, doctor?" he de-
manded on seeing the captain entirely
alone.
Captain b.. sir" replied.
is he wounded? Here, my men"-call-
ing to some orderlies-'assist that gentle
man from the ravine to the plateau here,
and, doctor, have the goodness to examine
his INJURIES" and as the general turned to
give some order to one of the aids-de- camp,
the men sprang to the bottom of the
ravine, and placing their arms under those
of the captain, dragged him to the upper
world. Immediately proceeded to exam
inc his person, really hoping in pity to him
to discover some injury, but the result was
rs l expected.
well, doctor, l hope he is not badly
hurt" commiseratingly inquired the good,
kind hearted general.
/ shook my head.
what, is it scrions9" he asked, as he
sprang from his horse and approached the
spot.
"Alas, general" l said, 81 am sorry to
say 1.-THE is not injured at all; and with
shame [ have to add, sir, this is not the
first time l have been called upon to cX-
anime him under like circumstances, with
Il similar result"
rs it possible that IL craven heart beats
in IN American bosom this day? Here,
sergeant" turning toward squadron Of
Dragons in attendance, take this officer
under arrest Bear him to the rear, ser.
geant. Gentlemen, should not have be.
lievcd this ii had not seen it with my own
eyes"
AT this moment, attracted by the sight
of general officer surrounded by his at
PENDANTS, the enemy had directed one OF
his mortars upon the spot, and rs the dra-
COON was about obeying the order an 49,
inch shell burst directly over our heads
and sent II shower of death dealing missiles
into our ranks The sergeant was killed
Il L L..