The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-11-21
Hot-Ham Heroisin.

A Poll6n Omcer, now oeau, WHO
came to the United States soon after
the Russians suppressed the Polish
instruction under .OAtopicki. in 1881,
used to tell with much zest the story
of his promotion Fl om the ranks. He
was private of cavalry when Chlo-
picki's retreat began. The troops had
made weary night march, and were
in bivouac for breakfast, when scouts
brought word that they were almost
surrounded by Russian force. In.
stantly the Poles hurried to their sad
dies, mounted. and sought a way of
escape.
The young cavalryman had been
boiling some pieces of ham for him
SELF in a camp kettle. Anxious to
s-save his Bacon" he dumped the half
boiled meat into his saddle bags, and
Joined his companions. Two minutes
later his horse became FESTIVE. at a
most inopportune moment, for on sur
mounting a ridge the Poles found
themselves confronted by Russian
force of infantry.
There was but one thing to be done.
The 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 all be captured.
On they rushed at the order to
charge, and now our young troopers
horse had became fairly frantic and
quite uncomfortable. He sprang
away far in advance of the charging
line. The rider, determined to make
the best fight ne could, swung his
SABRE, took stronger grip with his
knees, and gazed hard at the face of
the Russian he expected to be
launched against.
just then volley hurtled 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, bdtthis one jumped
furIously at the kneeling front rank,
and such was the momentum and fury
of the beast that the Russians just in
his front lost nerve, broke, and gave
him entrance.
Through the gap thus made other
Poles sprang q moment later. Strik-
ing right and lett, they widened the
breach. and in ten seconds the Russian
| infantry was demoralized. The Poles
escaped with slight loss, and it war
not long before the young leader
ouieted his steed, dismounted and
found a chance to examine his half.
cooled ham.
A few hours later the Polish General
of cavalry rode up to the Captain OF
the troop that had 30 distinguished
himself, complimented him, and said.
.sBy the way, Captain, who was thai
] splendid young Office that led you
all in?" :
"He wasn't an officer; that was only
one of my boys"
| ssNot an officerl May the bullets
strike me if don't make him one
Call him out here at once"
! The General shook hands with tn
youth, promoted him to lieutenanc,
| then and there, and gave him plac
on his staff.
| Some days later, when the Captain
called at headquarters. he sought on
the new lieutenant, whom he foun
dolefully contemplating his unsaddle
4 horse, which had huge, raw sore o
each side.
"What on earth is the matter wit
4 your horse?" asked the Captain.
."Oh, nothing muchp'
sBut what made those terribl
sores?"
1.-THE same thing that made me
Lieutenant" said the hero. "a bi
, chunk of hot ham in each saddle bag
but, for the love OF tho saints, don
, tell the General, or the boys.