Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1896-10-28
Involuntary Heroism.

"a TOlISn Omcer, now dead, who came
to the United States soon after the
Russians suppressed the Polish insur-
rectlon under Gen. Chlopicki, in 1881,
used to tell with much zest the story
OF his promotion from the ranks. He
was private of cavalry when Chic
plckrs retreat began. The troops had
made weary night march, and were
In b1vouac for breakfast when scouts
brought word that they were almost
surrounded by a Russian force. In
stantly the Poles hurried to their sad
dies, mounted and sought a way of
escape.
The young cavalryman had been boil
ing some pieces of ham for himself in
camp kettle. Anxious to Save his
bacon" he dumped the half-boiled meat
into his saddle bags and joined his
companions. Two minutes later his
morse became FESTIVE, at a most inop-
Fortune moment, for on surrounding a
ridge the Poles had found themselves
confronted by Russian force of in
fantry.
There was but one thing to be done.
Inc russian line must be broken
through at once. 1t was being RAPIDLY
REINFORCED. If the Poles should fail to
cut their way out at the first charge
they must be all captured.
On they rushed at the order to charge
and now our young troopers horse had
become thoroughly frantic and
quite uncomfortable. He sprang far
away in advance of the charging
line. The rider, determining TO
make the best of the fight he
could, swung his saber, took stronger
grip with his knees and gazed hard at
the face of the Russian he expected to
be launched against.
Just then volley was hurled into the
charging line, but the foremost horse
and rider escaped unframed. A few
moments and they were upon the
enemy. Usually a horse refuses to
leap at bayonets, but this one jumped
furiously at the kneeling front rank
and such. was the momentum and fury
Of the beast that the Russians lust in
his front lost their nerve, broke and
gave him entrance.
Through the gap thus made other
Poles sprang moment later. Striking
right and left, they widened the breach
and in ten seconds the Russian infantry
was demoralized. The Poles escaned
with slight loss, and it was not long
before their young leader quieted his
steed, dismounted and found a chance
to examine his half-cooked ham.
few hours later the Polish general
of cavalry rode up to the captain Of
the troop that had so DISTINGUISHED
itself, complimented him and said: "Bv
the way, captain, who was that splendid
young officer that led you all in?''
He wasn't an officer; that was onlv
one Of my boys"
mot an officer! May the bullets
strike me if don't make him one! Call
him out here at once"
The general shook hands with The
youth, promoted him to a lieutenancv
then and there and gave him a Mace
On his staff.
Some days later when the cautain
called at headquarters, he sought out
the new lieutenant, whom he found
dolefully contemplating his unsaddled
horse, which had huge raw sore on
each side.
What on earth is the matter with
your horse?" asked the captain.
ooh, nothing muchp'
'But what made these terrible
sores?"
The same thing that made me a lieu
tenant" said the hero. "a big chunk
Of hot ham in each saddle-bag; but. for
the love of the saints, don't tell the gen.
eral or the boys