The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1894-06-30
ALWAYS AFRAID.
Nothing but His Pride Kept Him From
Running Away.

Ina number of years Of active SER
vice during the war;" said an old SOL
der to q Pittsburg Dispatch man, Il
must confess, in all honesty, that in
action my bosom never swelled with
the enthusiasm Of heroes that you hear
90 much about. On the contrary ex.
perienced more fear than anything else.
/ always did my duty, but am forced
to believe that the feeling I had when
drawn up in line Of battle were shared
by my comrades, who never dared to
acknowledge them. Facing a large
body Of men with guns and not know
ing what moment one of them will send
u ball speeding through you is not
situation to make man feel exultant.
In my case was already and willing
to turn and run, only waiting for some
one to make the start. How often,
when about to enter battle, do re-
member soliloquizing: Now, if this
fellow next to me would only make
start how thankful I would be- But
pride and sense of duty will hold men
together. As said, I have not the
least doubt that many men felt just as
l did no matter how they may talk now.
And when you consider that we always
stood our ground, it shows how strongly
pride can influence our actions. re-
member once, while our calvalry troops
were out upon a skirmish. we took Il
vantage position upon a hill that rose
out on a plain. From there we could
see the enemy gradually surrounding
US. This, to one OF my temperament.
caused extreme nervousness. When
there was but Il small opening remain
ing at one point, and, that slowly being
closed, | went to the commanding
officer and suggested that he had bet
ter order a retreat while such II thing
was possible. He refused to do it, say
ing he was going to stand his ground.
| krew this was sure death. and would
have readily have put spurs to my
horse and rode to safety had not my
sense Of duty and pride impelled me
to remain with my officer He was
sitting on his horse calmly. taking in
the situation, when came to him a
second time to make the suggestion.
But did not have to speak. An all.
wise Providence did the work for me in
a manner that prevented argument.
The bullets were flying about thick
and fast. and just as | was about to I'D
dress the O1fieera stray bullet struck
him in the wrist of the hand which
held the reins. The ball shattered the
bone and the reins dropped from the
helpless hand. Before the officer coult
recover the l'eins with his other hant
the horse bolted and strangely started
on Il dead run for the one place whicf
offered way of escanc 1t was my dut,
to follow the officer. aud it was tn,
most cheerful duty found during .ht
war. | spurred my horse and soo'
was ut his heels. We got away al
right. but the company Of cavalry or
the bill We're. with few exceptions,
captured and held as prisoners Of war
They were sent to AndersOnyiilt
prison and but Il small percentage eve,
came out alive. That is how a run
away horse saved my life. neve" wen
intoacton without Il dread and q fear 0
death. This may be looked upon Il
the stamp OF Il coward, yet | hardl,
think it is fair to give such a name 20
person who never shirked duty. T.
me the brave man is not the one VIII,
: recklessly. without thought. plunge
into the thick of battle. but rather tn
man who, while rca.iziug the DANCE
and appreciating the uncertainty of life
still keeps to the path of duty.