The Van Buren press., 1896-10-10
HOT HAM i1EROISM.
How Polish officer Got His Promotion
from the Ranks.

~" @ ci's'A ohtNt boi Ills
from the Ranks
\ Polish officer, now dead, who came
10 the United States soon after the Rus
slams suppressed the Polish insurrection
under Gen. Chlopicki, in 1881, used to
tell with much zest the story of his pro
motion from the ranks. He was a pri-
yate of cavalry when Chlopicki's re.
treat began. The troops had made a
weary night march, and were in biv-
ouac 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 es-
cape.
The young cayalryman had been boil,
ing some pieces of ham for himself in a
camp kettle. Anxious to "save his ba-
con-" he dumped the half-boiled meal
into his saddlebags, and joined his com
Eanions. Two minutes later his horse
became FESTIVE, at a most inopportune
moment, for, on surmounting a ridge.
the Poles had found themselves con.
| fronted 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 OF
charge, and now our young troopers
horse had become fairly frantic and
quite uncomfortable He sprana
away far in advance of the charging
line. The rider, determined to make
The best fight he could, swung his saber
took strong grip with his knees, ane
gazed hard at the face of the Russian he
expected to be launched against.
Just then a voley hultled into the
charging line, but the foremost horst
and rider escaped unframed. A few
moments and theywere upon the enemy
Usually a horse refuses to leap at bay
onets, but this one jumped furiously al
the knccling 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 moment later. Striking
right and left, they widened the breach
and in ten seconds the Russian infantry
was demoralized. The Poles escaped
with slight loss. and it was long before
the young leader quoted his steed, dis
mounted and found a chance to examine
his half-cooled ham.
\ few hours later the Polish general
of cavalry rode up to the captain of the
troop that had 50 distinguished itself.
complmented him. and said: by the
way. captain, who was that splendid
young officer that led you all in?"
He wasn't an officer; that was only
csc of my boys" -r|Ff
Not an officer. May the bullets
strike me if don't make him one. Call
him out here at once" zrfl
The general sLook hands with the
youth, promoted him to a lieutenancy
then and there, and gave him a place on
his staff.
SONS days later, when the captain
called at headquarters, he sought out
the new lieutenant whom he found dole
fully contemplating his unsaddled
horse, which had a huge, raw sore on
each side.
what on earth is the matter % ith
your horse?" asked the captain.
''Oh. nothing much.
"Butwhat made thoss terrible sores O.
eThe same thing ,h1t made ne q
lieutenant" sad the hero. "A big
Skunk of hot ham in each saddlebag
hut for the love If the saints don't tel
the general. or the boys. Youth :
Companion.