Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-08-19
An Enemy's Bullet,

He had been a captain for year or
mOre-Capt, Bligh, Of Company B.,
Fourteenth InfanTy-but he had been
on detached service instead Of in the
field with his men. He had read ana
talked OF the battles in which the
Fourteenth had been engaged, and he
was exulant over its victories. He
had imagined himself with the COM
pany in the time Of battle-in his
place as Misunderstanding out Or
ders-cheering on the fghring-hOld-
ing the men up TO their work like a
stone wall. Il had never occurred to
him that his courage might not stand
the test Of battle. Had any one ques-
toned it the Captain would have
fought him on the spot.
And Capt. Bhgh had finally been re-
leased from special duty and sent 10
the front and his command, and he
arrived to ind the camp IN commo-
ton. Orders had been issued TO pre-
pare three days rations, and that
meant a movement, and the opening
OF the campaign. lie was jubilant at
first. and he wondered that the men
were glum and grim instead OF eXul-
tant Now ard then he caught the
sound of laughter, but it was not SIN
cere. Now and then some soldier
broke into song over his campfire,
hut a score Of others growled him TO
silence. Capt. Bligh was looking for
the romp Of war, and this grimness
disappointed him and brought serious
thoughts. Through the cotton walls
,r.T ~
Yates of his command talking as they
stood guard over some commissary
stores.
Coin after Lee, eh?" Queried the
first.
"That's the chalk, old man, Grants
goin' to find Lee and so for him, and
well be right in it, $500.
wonder if our captains got sand!
Dunno. If he hasn't he'd better go
out and hang himself. Don't look 10
me like a very gritty cuss.
Nor me, either. lie hasn't even seen
a fight vet: and, oh, Lord! how he'll
weaken in the knees when the shells
begin to fly and the bullets TO hum.
II he goes back on us some OF the
BOYS will put bullet into him,
The words struck Capt. Bllgh
STRANGELY. The rank and file had been
sizing him up, and the verdict was
unfavorable The men were question
ing his courage. and in going into bat
tie every mans eye would be upon
him. If he showed the white feather
was it possible, asked the captain OF
himself. that his courage could fall
him. and that he might be branded
as a coward, To ask that question
was to doubt himself and as the DOUBT
found Judgement his lips became dry
and his breath grew snort Ten MIN
utes later ne was asking OF a corporal
whom he had sent for:
CORPORAL Henderson. you have been
in several battles. haven't you?
Three big ones, siT, and three or
four hot skirmishes,' was the reply
How did you feel in your first bat
te?"
Il wanted to bolt, sir, and the Lord
orly knows how l pulled through IL:
I didn't get over being scared until
the sergeant kicked me and made me
mad. am told mat seven OF our
men gOt into a ditch and had 10 be
kicked out. The first battle is hell
on the nerves, sir, begging your par
don
But no officer ever bolts, corporal.
IF course not II q commissioned
officer should run away it would be
worst than death for him. No, sir-hls
way would be to shoot himself on the
field"
For an hour after the corporal went
away the captain sat and thought over
the matter and discussed it with him
self. He feared his courage, now that
it was TO be put TO the test, but he
was grimly resolved not to disgrace HE
company. The corporal had given him
an idea and If the worst came to worst
he would act on il.
A hundred thousand men broke camp
and went marching to tie South for
twenty miles. and then they found a
lion in the path. The heads of coll
umns flied to the right and lett, gune
were hurried up and planted at inter
walls, and the legions faced each other
in battle line. There was only Skin
mishing that day-developing the
strong and weak points in each others