The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-06-22
PARSONS TWO FEATS.
A HARD STROKE AND A REMARKABLE
RIDE DURING THE CIVIL WAR.

1t is claimed by authorities on the art
Of war that the greatest blow of the
campaign between Greece and Turkey
was struck by Colonel Mahmoud Bey,
who with one swift stroke of his sword
completely severed a Greek officers
head from his body. These same author
titles generously admit that this trick
may have been quite common in ancient
times, when stalwart men swung heavy
battleaxos, but they agree that it is
practically unknown in modern war.
fare.
History is silent on the subject. There
is not plethora of literature bearing
/ on its accomplishment. The original of
/ all such stories is, of course, 1.-THE Adj
ventures of Jack the Giant Killer,
/ which, for obvious reasons, does not
| help the subject. Scott describes a sim
/ liar episode in 1.-THE Talisman," bat
the best decapitation story, from an
lrtistic point Of view, is found in the
memoirs of Captain John Smith The
doughty captain vouches for the veracity
Of the details, though that is no good
reason why we should not use the Gus
tomary pinch of salt According to his
truthful chronicle, he overcame in tour
nament the three champions of the
Turkish army, decapitating each one
with single blow Of his heavy sword.
a 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 yata-
CHAN was "loaded" with quicksilver.
The yataghan, he explains, is a short
sword, shaped something like butchers
cleaver, with an apparently hollow tube
running along the back from hilt to
point. This tube carries a charge of
quicksilver. When the sword is laid up
right, this quicksilver rests at the hilt.
AS blow is struck the liquid metal is
hurled. down the grooved channel, lend
ing deadly additional weight to the
blow.
The assertion made that this is the
sole instance of its kind in the history
of 100 years is not borne out by facts.
The same feat was performed during
the civil war, not with loaded" yata-
CHAN, but with an ordinary United
States army saber. The man who WELD
ed the sword in this episode, Colonel e.
Bloss Parsons, died recently in Roches-
ter. Colonel Parsons was one of the |
wealthiest and 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 illustrated and de- |
scribed in Harper's Weekly at the time
1t was in 1864. Colonel Parsons who |
was noted as horseman, was attached |
to General Sheridan's staff. While rec
onnoitering one day with squad of
troopers under General Davis they were
surprised by q detachment of Confeder-
ate cavalry. A pitched battle ensued,
and Parsons, who was in the rear, saw
rebel officer level revolver at Gen
eral Davis head. Jabbing the spurs in
to his horse, he swung his saber above
his head, and, dashing by just as the
officer fired, he made a terrific full
arm sweep. The Confederate's head
leaped from the shoulders as swiftly as
If 1T had been severed by guillotine
The feat is more remarkable when it is
that Parsons was a slim,
beardless fellow of 81. In comparison
Mahmoud Bey's single slash with his
yataghan loses much of its Importance.
Colonel Parsons was brevetted gener-
al for distinguished services during the
war, but characteristic modesty forbade
the use of that title when he returned
to civilian life. Not only did he per-
tation during the civil war, but he was
the hero of remarkable ride A few
days before the battle of Gettysburg
was fought General Meade had an i'm
portant message to send to General
Harding, 100 miles distant. As the
route was through country swarming
with rebels, the message was written
On tissue paper, that it might be swal-
lowed in case the carrier was captured.
The commander was in doubt regarding
I suitable messenger. He summoned
General Davis to headquarters.
General, who is the hardest rider,
IS well as the most trustworthy man, in
he service?" asked Meade.
Colonel Parsons, SIR" was the
prompt reply.
Send him to me at once" ,
1t was 6 o'clock ON a Monday night
when General Meade gave the young
officer his instructions. He was to ride
With all haste to General Harding's
headquarters and return at once with {
IN answer.
The messenger retired. Two hundred :
niles were to be covered. The roads I
we're heavy, and they led through the
country.
Exactly at noon on the following day
COLONEL Parsons entered General
deade's tent. The latter's face grew .
urple with rage, and he ripped out
tring of oaths.
lis this the way you obey orders?"
10 Numbered. "Wbat are you hanging
round camp for? You ought to be with !
General Harding by this time
Il have just returned from General
Iarding, SIR" I
"You liep' exclaimed the exasperated :
eneral.