Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1892-11-18
lim, and return bis very polite, but

which / could never divine, the conduct of
Captain b., at Monterey began to be whis-
pered about, and his brothers in arms at
first began to treat him with marked cool
hess. But his fund of wit and good humOr
was so great-and his having before been
so great a favorite with all who knew
him-and besides his really soldierly quail
ties being so numerous they readily by
tacit agreement determined to throw the
veil of charity over the affair. In a few
months it was nearly forgotten; and at all
events ceased to form a subject Of camp
conversation.
But we were no sooner in for it at the
fercely contested field of Buena VISTA and
the round shot and copper grape of the
enemy hailed fuTiously 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 |
heard the word passed from mouth to
mouth along the line, "Its Captain b.,
poor fellowP 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
had crossed the ravine and successfully
charged the batteries on the other side
distinguished that officer emerging eau
tiously from the smoke that filled the
gorge and joining his company, and with
cap in one hand and sword in the other he
cheered and huzzaed as vociferously as the
bravest man there.
No sooner, however did his column re-
ceive an order to attack another position
of the enemy, where the guns were belch-
ing forth torrents of grape and canister,
than | again caught a moment from my
own immediate duties to look after Cap
tain B., for felt an unaccountable curios-
ity in regard to his motions But this
time | could not see him at 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 rejoiced
TO see him fall pierced with wounds. In
fact, was so incensed at this last act, so
disgraceful TO his gallant regiment, that,
watching an opportunity when / could be
best spared from my post, mounted my
horse and spurred across the plateau in the
direction of the skulking place of the
craven hearted captain, with the determi-
nation of shaming him, if possible, to a
sense of his cowardly conduct
/ had no SOONER reached the edge of the
ravine where could take in a view of the
ground below, then l espied him snugly
ensconsed under the shelter of the rocky
wall.
captain b." 1 exclaimed, "are you
wounded, sir?"
"A-a-you here, my good friendi No, not
exactly wounded-that is, not shot-but
this COMPOUNDED fall has nearly knocked
the breath out of me. l believe, doctor, /
have broken rib or two"
"'Twas the wind of another ball, sir,
reckon" said 1, now beginning to be really
amused at the fellows downright cool eff
frontery. "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 i 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. Iwould not be
guilty Of prevarication, and pointed to the
ravine below, where still remained the
skulking ofirer.
who is chat person, doctor" he de
manded on seeing the captain entirely
alone.
Captain B., SIR" / replied.
rs he woundedp 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
as expected
well, doctor, l hope he is not badly
hurt?" commiseratingly inquired the good
kind hearted general.
shook my head.
what, is it seriousY" he asked, as he
sprang from his horse and approached the
spot.
"Alas, general" / said, II am sorry t.
say 1.-THE is not injured at all; and witt
shame i have to add, sir, this is not thu
first time have been called upon to ex
anime him under like circumstances, with
a similar resultP'
as it possible that a craven heart beat!
in an American bosom this day. Here
sergeant" turning toward a squadron o
dragons in attendance, take this office
under arrest. Bear him to the rear, ser
geant. Gentlemen, should not have be
lieved this if l had not seen it with my owl
eyes"
At this moment, attracted by the sigh
of a general officer surrounded by his at
tendants, the enemy had directed one o
his mortars upon the spot, and as the dra
COON was about obeying the order an is
inch shell burst directly over our head
and sent shower of death dealing missile
into our ranks. The sergeant was killet
on the spot, and one Of the horses of Majo
Bliss was desperately wounded