Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-01-25
TROOPS UNDER FIRE.
Various Ways OF kccp ng Up the SOLDIER
Courage.

various ways OF Keep ng Up the Soldiers
Courage.
comrade near me IL busily engaged
In reading his Testament This Ia a
popularity Of his just before we were
going into the fight before this one, we
were marching along, when the skir-
mishing began. We were drawn up by
the side Of the road In readiness 10 go
promptly whenever and wherever we
might be wanted; and there we waited
as the fire grew hot and hotter. As
soon "a there was possibility that we
might be called upon. saw him read
ing his Testament lie reads IL now,
under like circumstances, because no
finds some consolation In IL and II takes
his mind from what is going on around
him-from what il before him. lie IL
n better soldier for this. When the
time comes for action he Il as brave as
anyone. He knows the danger, but
has the courage TO face IL; and this Is
his way OF keeping up his courage I'M
I'll the excitement OF action destroys all
thought OF danger. Other men have
other ways Of doing this. Here Ia the
captain. lie Is little apart from the
Others; Ii saying nothing. but is APP
parently thinking deeply, and Ia indus
triously whiting twigs, which no puts
into his mouth ns II they were tooth.
picks, throwing one away every mo-
ment TO put In another one. Here Is
another comrade who has no desire for
conversation; whose thoughts are evil
IDENTIFY fur away. lie Is busy picking
up twigs and breaking them into
bits. Like the captain, he Is keeping
MS fingers busy as a relief to his
thonghts-as q balm for nervousness.
Here IL n man whose face is "whito IA
u sheet" lie Is afraid, but not more 40
than most Of those around him. lie
knows that he may be killed at any
moment, but In possessed of that higher
kind OF courage which enables him 70 90
calmly wherever duty calls, or TO meet
any danger nobly which may lie In the
path OF duty. Here Is one who shows
no sign of anxiety or OF fear, but he Ia
no more brave than the others. When
we first took this position no was very
sick, but Ia now ready for any duty.
The excitement or the dread was too
much for him at first, and went u his
stomach" but that In over. II wns
only physical, TO be sure. but the cause
was mental, and the removal of the
physical disturbance has relieved the
mental cause This internal disturb.
nnce Is no uncommon thing under the
hrsl excitement of going into battle,
and Outlines In these circumstances the
soldier fears that he is going to prove
to be coward; but this feeling over
come, lie IL IN brave M he could wish.
Another comradc Il reading a letter
the last one receivcd-and he IL well
aware that II may be tho lust ono he
will receive. All, well, we know where
his thoughts are; and we sympathize
with him, for nre not our thoughts all
on our homes and our loved ones there?
Every man here understands 10 the
fullest extent the danger he is In, but
he IL brave enough 10 remain here; 10
60 further, II need be, for country and
flag, and yet just now his thoughts are
with the loved ones; and from many a
heart goes up "A silent prayer for Gods
blessings upon them, whatever may
happen To him His thoughts are for
their happiness, not for his own wei.
fare. Thus, In various ways, do the
comrades show their peculiarities un.
der this terrible artillery Gre. Sone
are trying TO keep their thoughts busy
by conversation, some by joking, some
are silently smoking, some are In deep
meditation. blue and Gray.