The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1896-03-05

(NMG; time of the war
heavyweight
prize fighter in New York city received
bullet in his heart during an alterca-
tion and walked several blocks to his
home. He died from it, but needlessly,
the surgeons declared, for he lived sew
eral days, went about and acted i'm
prudently.
What sort of nerve is that which bears
men up under trials of that nature?
Men are credited with iron nerve when
they are cool in the face Of death, calm
when surrounded by excitement and
quick to do the right thing, though
taken Cnawares. The nerve that endures
under the supreme crisis shows itself
where it is least expected, as though it's
phenomenal quality was born of the oc-
casion. The nerve which man thinks
or hopes that he commands does not
count for much in a battle. Just so the
nerve which he thinks he lacks turns up
when needed, to the surprise of every
one.
Warlike excitement, fed by the sights
and the clamor Of the field, stimulates
the nerves, but the same results may
be had without the battle accon1pani-
ment. In the trenches at Petersburg I
saw couple Of soldiers skylarking at
bayonet exercise. One was noisy lit
tie Irishman not noted for battle cour-
age. Both became excited, as men do in
friendly boxing match. Finally, just
as the Irishman's opponent made a
thrust at his breast, he knocked the
muzzle of the musket downward slight
ly, and the piece went off, sending a
bullet into his groin. In spite of the
frightful wound, the Irishman kept a
firm grip on his own musket, and stag
gering forward lunged fitfully at the
other, stirred by sudden frenzy. The
one who was unhurt dropped his, gun
and backed off, although he had been
equally excited before the disaster, and
the wounded man followed him up sew
eral PAGES, then fell in a collapse. An.
other case, more easily explained, was
noted during Lees aetreat from Peters,
burg. On the way to Appomattox a
Union column charged into the Confed-
crate lines and was repulsed. Two SOL
diers became separated from their com
rades, and finding themselves surround
ed dropped their muskets and started to
the enemy's rear under guard. One of
them Jagged behind, and when told to
move faster, showed a wound in the
arm. 1t appeared to be severe, and he
was permitted to take his own pace.
Both prisoners chatted with their cap
tors and were in good spirits. When the
party reached a surgeons tent, the
wounded man was examined and Sec
ond wound discovered in his side and
breast. It was mortal, and he died in a
few minutes. His ]acerated arm was
very painful and absorbed all his
thought. It was one which he could
''grin and bear,' however, and the
prospect of a speedy recapture-for the
fighting was of the seesaw kind that day
kept up his hope and cheerfulness to
the last.
If there is provision of nature to
stimulate men under such conditions
when the excitement is chiefly in their
own minds, startling exhibitions may
be looked for when the excitement
seethes all about man who enters it
keyed up with the highest incentives.
Take the case Of Captain Nolan, hero of
Balaklava:
Gallant Nolan, brave as Roland,
At the field Of Roncesvalles.
Nolan was the man who carried the
order to Lord Cardigan to take the
Light brigade and do certain some
thing with it. He was a young staff
officer not belonging to the fighting line
But it was chance to do deed worthy
his uniform. He dashed at breakneck
speed down precipice, intent on tell
ing Cardigan how to save the day. Car
digan misconstrued the message, there
were hot words and more excitement
for Nolan, and when the brigade set out
upon its ride to destruction he rode near
the head Of it, shouting to the com
mander and to the men to 20 to the
right oblique, and not direct in front,
where they would land upon the Rus
sian batteries
While Nolan's sword arm was in the
air and his voice giving out the loud
warning piece of she'll tore his heart
from the chest The bride arm dropped
the reins, and the horse, feeling them
relax, wheeled into line with the other
horses. The troopers saw coming toward
them a pale horseman, held bolt up
right in the saddle by the firm grip OF
the knees, his sword arm uplifted and
firmly posing the blade, while from the
lips sounded the hoarse reverberation OF
the cry he had framed before death par.
alyzed the will.
A ruling passion strong in death
indeed was that Of Nolan s.. But the
nerve which the warrior tries to cult
waite for service in battle is not the
kind to carry that far. Emotional nerve
strength, Or extreme frenzy, is the true
name for it. Yet instances of it are mot
so rare as might be supposed. The not
ing and reporting Of these things are
rare because in battle men have other
occupations. There was one reported
from Petersburg, and the reporter