Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1893-03-02
WERE WILING TO GO.
Volunteers Were Wanted but the Boys
Were Modest.

IL sometimes occurred in army life
that a persons modesty, or sensitive
ness, was more potent than their fear of
danger, or OF injury. An incident illus
tratlng this occurred in my own COM
pany in June, 1864, at Dallas Woods, or
Burnt Hickory Our brigade was re-
quired to advance the lines under gall
ing picket fire; it was a kind of left
wheel, the right advancing several hun
dred yards, while the left advanced but
few steps. After getting into position
short distance to the rear Of our picket
line detail from each company, about
one-third OF the whole, was called for to
60 out and strengthen the pickets SO as
to check charge. if one should be made
before line of works could be thrown
up Lieutenant Edginton, who
commanded the company, stated
the case and called for volun-
teers, being unwilling to detail men in
such an emergency, although the danger
was even less, perhaps. than to remain
and work at terrifying. Now, / suppose
there was not man in the company but
was ready and willing to go outin front;
but to be the first one Of the lot
to volunteer TO say: 'Tll 60 for one,
was a distinction no one coveted, and
we stood looking from one to the other
in helpless, foolish way. not often seen
among brave soldiers. Meanwhile tho
Lieutenant was getting impatient and
begging for volunteers. or he must needs
detail, which he was unwilling TO do.
All the while the bullets kept singing
past us. and the suspense was becoming
painful, though probably less than half
minute had passed, when said, land
very sheepish | felt tool: "I'll go, for
one;" ''l'll go for another" instantly
spoke up Dan Malone; I'm go, for
another" came the response from
dozen voices at once, and the Lieuten-
ant had to call halt very soon, to keep
enough OF the company to throw up
breastworks. We were ordered to get
little to the rear Of the rife pits and
shelter ourselves the best we could be-
hind trees or inequalities in the ground,
but not TO fire except charge was at
tempted by the enemy. which order was
pretty strictly obeyed; but next to me,
few feet 10 my left, was Peter Lawler,
an impetuous Irishman, who could never
resist the temptation to shoot whenever
he could see head TO shoot at He
commenced firing right away, and after
few minutes arose and run up toward
the 'front.' half bent and disappeared.
In about half an hour we we're called in,
but Peter failed to respond. and when
some parties went out he was found,
shot through the heart. and gave his last
gasp as he was brought over the breast
works.
But the men at work on the fortifca-
tions we're not left uninjured. Three
men of Company A were wounded with
the same bullet two members of Com
pany G were wounded with another one,
and number Of others we're hit, but !
think none were seriously injured. Col
onel Case took right hold OF the work,
but soon found that his shoulder straps
made him target for sharpshooters, so
he exchanged his coat for a priyate's
blouse. General Ward-commanding
the brigade at the time-had his head
quarters in log house near the left OF
the brigade, aud a rebel she'll crushed
through just before he moved out and
came down by big tree at the left OF
our regiment We remained in that
place two days, under pretty hot fire,
but did not get into an engagement,
though several men we're wounded and
incapacitated for duty.-R. Springer, in
Toledo Blade.