Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1894-11-24

"oLD JOHN" AS THE BOYS CALLED HIM.
and covered a dozen men with grass
and dirt it was a matter for joke, al
though hundred bullets and a dozen
fragments of iron tipped and whizzed
overhead and perhaps swept away the
crew of field piece. 1t was the stand
ing out in battle line in the open, un-
der fire but waiting to return it or to
move on, which drained the courage of
even the oldest veteran us blood flows
from wound.
Let us take the second day at Gettys-
burg. So long as we were moving
there was something to distract atten-
ton, but now comes the test of wait
ing-of suspense. Away over there we
can see the columns of the enemy wheel
ing into position-banners rippling-
artillery moving with horses under the
lash. There is going to be fierce
grapple here. These scattered trees
will be rent and riven-these acres Of
green grass torn up that babbling
brook change the color of it's waters
before the Sun passes its zenith.
Men draw a long breath to fill their
lungs before putting forth all their
strength in one great effort. Armies
do the same. This is the long breath
before the clash comes.
Watch the horses as the field pieces
come galloping up! They are looking
across the valley at the enemy, their
eyes blazing and their ears working.
Everyone is in tremble as the teams
are unhitchcd and led away to the
shelter of the ravine. They know what
Is coming and the waiting unnerves
them. There is "Old john" US the
boys call him. He has been in half
dozen fights and he has three or four
battle scars, but he is just as nervous
us if he had never heard gun fired
See how his nostrils quiver! Watch
the blaze of his eyes! What paint
ing he would make as he stands there
with head and tail up and every nerve
a-quiver!
The officers voices CRATE harshly as
they jerk out their commands of:
"Dress more to the rightw Front,
there!" Cease that tallSing!" They
are officers, but they are men. The
exploding shells and the tipping bull
lets are meant for them as we'll us for
us. and they are also fighting against
the terror of suspense. Our colonel
rides along the line in front. That is
well, but it is bluff for all that. He's
moving 20 keep his nerve under con-
troll.
Watch the meni There are old vet
Grams here men who have fought in
every great battle from first Bull Run
and there are recruits who reached us
only three days ago from the far
away farms and villages. You see
u difference, but 1t is affected. The old
veteran jokes with the men right and
left, sharpens his jacknife on the rock
In front of him, whistles a few bars
from rolliclSing air to make you be-
lieve that he never felt more serene in
his life. It's mere sham, but it helps
TO brace up the pale-taced men who are
to receive their baptism.
"Why don't we mover"
This state of suspense is disorgan-
izing. Men look wildly to the right
and left--to the rear. There are no
towards here, but it would take very
little to start panic and rush. Men
still laugh, but it is a mockery. They
Jest, but they scarcely hear their own
words. Look at that recruitl He's a
sturdy young farmer who was sharp
ening his scythe in the hayfelds three
weeks ago. He has the strength of an
OK, and no man ever looked into his
face and put him down as faint
hearted. Twenty minutes ago he
would have swept forward with us to
charge a battery and hurrahed with
excitement. Suspense has sapped his
courage api unnerved him. See him
tremblel Note his palenessl Now
there comes look OF terror and des-