The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1896-09-23
THEIR BAPTISM OF FIRE.
Sensation of Fighters in Their Firs
Battles.


on their realism favorite subject of
study latterly has been the feeling and
conduct of soldiers under fire. Patient,
dissections of the soldier
in battle, at which the enthralled read
er catches his breath and sighs, "How
true ~ have made the fortune of more
than one work of fiction. With such
studies in mind, it may be interesting
to read what a few actual soldiers,
at random, have to say regarding their
feelings in coming under fire.
General L. 5. Grant said that the in
slant he heard the first hostile gun,
when down in Mexico with Taylor as
a sub-lieutenant, he felt sorry he ever
enlisted. Shortly afterward he bor-
rowed horse and rode into the thick
OF the fight against orders. From the
frank admissions of gallant company
OF veterans of the civil war, who have
followed the example of their great
commander, and given mp their inmost
secrets to the interviewer, the readers
of this story will infer that Grants ex-
perienee in getting broken in are shared
bv all men who have the stuff to make
staying soldiers.
Fitz John Porter was under Taylor
also. He said: "In every case when
shot passed by / always controlled my
self 50 as not to permit the men to see
that | was disturbed. My first expe-
rience was down with Taylor, and L
recall "a case in point. Colonel Childs
had new regiment formed in square
at Resaca de la Palma, and when the
Mexicans opened fire upon il the men
began to dodge. Colonel Childs told
them to stop il, az it was unsoldierly to
dodge. Taylor sat by on his horse,
ducking, right and left at every bullet.
said he TO Childs: 'Don't-stop-the-
uen-Colonel. Let them-dodge-if-they-
want-to. It's-perfectly-natural-you-
know
Lees old warhorse," Lieutenant
General LongstEaet, received his bap-
tism under Taylor AT the same time.
He says that the first sound of distant
firing caused him TO brace for the or
deal. But there was lull before he
was brought into action, and in order
10 keep his thoughts from wandering,
he took from his breast pocket picture
nf the girl he had left behind. The
calm, frank face looking into his dis
PEELED all thought of danger, and he
went ahead like the man he aspired to
be.
Inquiries directed to the Green
Mountain boys, who made gallant
record as fighters, brought forth some
responses which go To the root OF this
whole question of battlefield courage.
General Lewis A. Grant, commander
of the First Vermont brigade. one of
the fighting commands of the Army OF
the Potomac, said
nIt is somewhat difficult to give my
first experience under fire. as came
to it somewhat gradually, and became
a little used to il before being thrown
into a severe engagement. And my
feelings were not the same on all occa-
sions. disliked very much 10 90 into
an engagement, and feared the result.
not only to myself, but to my command
and the cause. Generally the first ex-
perience of a battle was that Of trepi-
pidation, but my natural pride and
feeling of responsibility and knowi-
edge OF its effect upon the men over
came it. But it sometimes took all the
self-control al my command to appear
calm and cool. But this feeling OF
trepidation never lasted long. 1t never
extended through a battle"
Governor Urban A. Woodbury.,
whose mute badge of courage IS an
empty sleeve, recalled his first expe-
rience under fire without difficulty, foT
it was then he lost his right arm, said
he:
"As | emerged from the woods on
the open field at the first battle of'Bull
Run, the enemy discovered Us and
commenced firing upon us with solid
shot and shell. If | were to analyze
NV own feelings / should say felt a
great sense of danger, but not much
fright. / had no idea of doing any
thing else than to march straight
ahead toward the enemy, which L was
doing at d0nble quick when Ireceiyed
t he wound which caused the loss of my
arm. realized perfectly well wha'
was going on about Gle. the troops
who were going off, and where the
enemy were posted"
General Theodore :. Peck, Greer
Mountain soldier, who has a varied
experience, and was one of Stannard'
officers, first came under fire in cav
airy charge and skirmish-
1--WE were so excited and interested
in chasing the enemy" said lac, "tha
/ there was not much fear about it. Tn
| next time under fire | was thorough.
frightened at the commencement, bu
later on fright disappeared, and the su
preme thought of whipping the enem.
took possession. think Inever was il
a battle but that | Was afraid, and II
moss of the engagements it iaste'
throughout the entire time when unde
fire. While this physical fear was upoI
me had no desire to leave the field
but otherwise to whip the other side
am confident that l had my wit
about me during all these trying time:
and was cool enough to attend to bus
ness"
General w. w. Henry. colonel Ofth
Tenth Vermont, received his baptism
of fire at Bull Run, with General Woot
bury. His chief thought and anxiet
were to get a sight of the enemy. !
chance view of some wounded men b'
fore going in shook his courage SOM
what. He saw a shell burst and carr
away the arm of his friend and con
rade, Woodbury.. ''This caused me
think that war was a serious matter,
said he, "but still kept on, as well
/ could, bound too see the enemy, an
when under musketry fire my courat
returned"
Vermont sent out band other Gree
Mountain boys on horseback, the Fir
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