Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-10-19
PARSONS TWO FEATS.
AHARp STROKE AND A REMARKABLE
RIDE DURING THE CIVIL WAR.

Two Hundred Miles In Eighteen Hours.
Other Instances Of Decaritstios II Bat
tIe.
Il In 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 Greek officers
head from his body. These same author
tiles generously admit that this trick
may hoe been quite common in ancient
times. when stalwart men swung heavy
battleaxes, but they agree that IL is
practically unknown In modern war.
fare.
History is silent on the subject. There
IA not plethora Of literature bearing
on its accomplishment. The original Of
all such stories il, Of course, 1.-THE Ad-
ventures of Jack the Giant Killer. !"
which, for obvious reasons, does not
help the subject. Scott describes u sim.
liar episode in THE Talisman," but
the best decapitation story. from an
artistic point Of view. il found in the
memoirs of Captain John Smith. The
doughty captain vouches for the veraoity
of the details, though that Is no good
reason why we should not use the Gus
iomary pinch Of salt. According to his
truthful chronicle. he overcame in tour
nament the three champions Of the
Turkish army. dccnpitating each one
with single blow Of his heavy sword.
A writer who il evidently informed
OIL the subject claims that Mahmoud
Bey could not have accomplished the
feat Of docapitation with an ordinary
satcr end arserts that the Turks yata-
CHAN was loaded" with quicksilver.
The yataghaD, he explains, is short
sword, shaped something like butchers
cleaver. " it'll an apparently hollow tube
running along the back from Hit to
point. This tube carries charge OF
quicksilver. When the sword is laid up
right, this quicksilver rests at the hilt.
As u blow Is struck tho liquid metal Is
hurled down the grooved channel. lend
ing deadly additional weight to the
blow.
The assertion made that this Is the
sole stance Of It's kind in the history
Of 100 years is not borne ont by facts.
The same feat was performed during
the civil war, not with loaded" yata-
CHAN, bat with an ordinary United
States army saber. The man who WELD
ed the sword in this episode. Colonel E.
Bloss Parsons, died recently In Rocbes-
ter. Colonel Parsons was one OF the
wealthiest aud 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 nc the time.
IL was in 1864. Colonel Parsons, who
was noted rs n horseman. was attached
tn General Sheridan's staff. While rec
onnoiteripg one day with squad OF
troopers under General Davis they were
surprised by detachment Of Confeder-
ate cavalry. A pitched battle ensued.
and Parsons, who was in the rear. saw
q rebel officer level revolver Mt Gen
eral Davis head. Jabbing the spurs in
10 his horse, he swung his saber above
his head. and. dashing by just rs the
officer fired, he made terrific full
arm sweep. The Confederate head
leaped from the shoulders rs swiftly ~
IL IL had been severed by guillotine
The feat is more remarkable when 10 is
considered that Parsons was a slim,
beardless fellow Of 81. In comparison
Mahmond Bey's single slash with his
yataghan loses much Of its Importance.
Colonel Parsons was brevetted gener-
nj for distinguished services during the
war, but characteristic modesty forbade
the use Of that title when he returned
tn civilian life. Not only did he per-
form the only authentic feat Of decapi-
tation during the civil war. but he was
the hero Of a remarkable ride. A few
days before the battle If Gettysburg
was fought General Meade had an i'm
portant message 90 send to General
Harding, 100 miles distant. As the
route was through country swarming
with rebels, the message was written
on tissue paper. that IL might be swal-
lowed in case the carrier was captured.
The commander was in doubt regarding
suitable messenger. he summoned
General Davis to headquarters.
General, who is the hardest rider,
as well as the most Trustworthy man, in
the seryice?" asked Meade.
Colonel Parsons, SIR" was the
prompt reply.
"Send him 10 me mt once"
II was q O'Clock on a Monday night
when General Meade gave the young
officer his instructions. He was to ride
with all haste to General Hardings
headquarters and return at once with
an answer.
The messenger retired. Two hundred
miles were to be covered. The roads
were heavy. aud they led through the
enemy country.
Exactly at noon ON the following day
Colonel Parsons entered General
Meade's tent. The latter's face grew
purple with rage, and he ripped out q
string Of oaths.
lis this tho way you obey orders?'
he Numbered. "What are you hanging
around camp FOR? You ought to be with
General Harding by this time"
II have just returned from General
Harding, sir. )"
''You lie!" exclaimed the exasperated
general.
Parsons face paled, and he dug the
nails in his hands to restrain himself.
General Meade" he said in voice
that i'll conAealed his anger, IF you
were not my commanding officer, /
would knock you down for that insult. F"
Without the formality Of salute he
turned Gu his heel and left the tent.
Meade afterward made an ample apol
ogy.
Colonel PWsons killed two horses and
went himself without u particle OF food.
For Is hours he was not out Of the sad
die -Chicapo Times Herald