Evening star., 1897-06-11
DECAPITATION IN BATTLE.

Col. Parsons Hard Stroke in the Civil
War nad His Remarkable Ride.
From the Chicago Times Herald
1t is claimed by authorities on the art of
| war that the greatest blow of the cam
| paign between Greece and Turkey was
| struck by Col. Mahmoud Bey, who with
| one swift stroke Of his sword completely
severed a Greek officers head from his
| body. These same authorities generously
admit that this trick may have been quite
common in ancient times when ,talwart
men swung heavy battle axes. but they
agree that it is practically unknown in
/ modern warfare. They point triumph
| antly to the fact that there is no record of
any such feat having been performed dur
! ing the Franco PruSSian war, though cav
airy charges and fierce handto-hand con-
flictS were frequent; and the PruSSian has
Il reputation as Saber swinger There
fore they are inclined to be skeptcai on
the subject, and speak of Mahmoud Bey's
feat as marvellous example Of strength
and deXterity.
History is silent on the subject. There is
not plethora of literature bearing on it's
! accomplishment. The original of all such
stories is, of course, THE Adventures of
| Jack the Giant Killer" which, for Obvious
reasons. does not help the subject. Scott
describes a similar episode in The Tails
man." but the best decapitation story,
lTOIl all tlTliStlC pOilll VI view, Is IOullu III
the memoirs of Capt. John Smith. The
doughty captain vouches for the veracity
of the details, though that is no good rea-
son why we should not use the customary
pinch of salt. According to his truthful
chronicle, he overcame in tournament the
three champions of the Turkish army de-
capitating each one with a single blow of
his heavy sword
writer who is evidently informed on
the subject claims that Mahmoud Bey
could not have accomplished the feat of
decapitation with an ordinary Saber, and
asserts that the Turks yataghan was
loaded" with quicksilver. A yataghan, he
explains, is a short sword. shaped some
thing like butchers cleaver, with an ap-
parently hollow tube running along the
back from hilt to point. This tube carries
a charge of quicksilver. When the sword
is held upright this quicksilver rests at the
hilt. AS a blow is struck the liquid metal
is hurled down the grooved channel, lend
ing deadly additional weight to the blow.
Such weapon, it is claimed, was in NAH
moud Bey's hands when he dashed ahead
of his troops and decaptated The Greek
officer who was firing al him.
The assertion made that This is the sole
instance Of it's kind in the history of a
hundred years is not borne out by facts.
The same feat was performed during the
civil war, not with a loaded yataghan,
but with an ordinary United States army
saber. TheEnan who welded the sword n
this episode Col. l.. Boss Parsons. died
two weeks ago in Rochester. N. Y. Col.
PARSONS was one OF the
best-known men in New York state, and
though he had never related the story. the
details were found among his private
papers after his death. The incident was
iiluStra ted and described in Harper Week.
ly at the time. j
1t was in 1864. Col. Parsons. who was
noted hofseman. was attached to Gen.
Sheridan's staff. While accommodating one
= day with a squad of troopers under Cen
Davis. they were surprised by a detach-
ment of confederate cavalry. pitched
battle ensued, and Parsons, who was in
the rear, saw rebel officer level revolver
at Gen. Davis head. Jabbing the spurs
into his horse, he swung his saber above
his head. and. dashing by just the Off
Ger fired. he made terrific fuil-arm sweep.
The confederateS head leaped from the
shoulders as swiftly as if it had been sew
cred by guillotine. The feat Is more
narkable when it is considered that Par
sons was slim, beardless fellow of twen-
ty-one. In comparison, Mahmoud Beys
single slash with his yataghan loses much
of its Importance.
Col Parsons was brevetted general for
distinguished services during the var: but
characteristic modesty forbade the use of
that title when he returned to civilian life.
Not only did he perform the only authentic
feat of decap apitation during the civil war,
but he was the hero of a remarkable ride.
A few days before the battle of Gettysburg
was fought Gen. Meade had an important
message to send to Gen. Harding. hum
dred miles distant. AS the route was
the message was written on tissue paper.
that ii might be swallowed in case the car
rier was captured. The commander was in
doubt regarding suitable messenger. He
summoned Gen. Davis to headquarters.
General who is the hardest rider. as
we'll as the most trustworthy man, in the
service?" asked Meade.
Col. Parsons, SIR" was the prompt re-
ply.
Send him to me at once"
1t was o'clock on a Monday night when
Gen. Meade gave the young officer his in
structions. He was to ride with all haste
to Gen. Harding's headquarters and return
at once with answer.
The messenger retired. Two hundred
miles were to be covered. The roads were
heavy, and they led through the enemys
country.
Exactly at noon on the following day
Col. Parsons entered Gen. Meade's tent.
The latter's face grew purple with rage,
and he ripped out string OF oaths.
lis this the way you obey orders"' he
thundered. What are you hanging around
camp for? You ought to be with Gen.
Harding by this tl:re.'
Il have Just returned from Gen. Harding,
SIR
"You lie." exclaimed the exasperated
general.
Parsons face paled and he dug the nails
in his hands to restrain himself. Gen.
Meade he said, in voice that fll-con-
cealed his anger, IF you were not my COM
manding officer, 1 would knock you down
for that insult" Without the foTmality OF
a salute, he turned on his heel and left the
tent. Meade afterward made an ample
apology.
Col. Parsons Killed two horses, and went
himself without particle of food. For
eighteen hours he was not out Of the sad
die. ,g--,1