The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-06-06
DEc.ip1rArIoN IN BATTLE.
Col. Pnrsons's Hard stroke In the Civil war
and Ills Remarkable Ride.

From the Chicago TYrncs.Herdid,
II is claimed by authorities on tho art of war
that the greatest blow OF the campaign between
Greece and Turkey was struck by Col. Mahmoud
Boy, who with one swift stroke OF his sword
completely severed n Greek officers hend from
his body. These same authorities generously
admit that this trick may have been quito COM
mon In ancient times, when stalwart mon swung
heavy battle axes, but they agrot that II is prac-
tically unknown in modern warfare. They point
triumphantly to the fact that there Is no record
Of any such feat having boon performed during
the Franco.Prussia war, though cavalry
charges and fierce hand.to-hand conflicts wcro
frequent; and the Prussisn has q reputation as
q sabre swinger. Therefore they are inclined TO
be skoptical on the subject and speak Of NAH
mould Bey's feat as a marvellous example Of
strength and dexterity.
History Is silent on the subject. There Is not
a plethora Of literature bearing on Its accom- :
pllshmcnt. The original OF all such stories is.
of course, Tho Adventures Of Jack the Giant
Killer" which, for obvious reasons. does not
help the subject. Scott describes a similar cpl.
sode in THE T%alisman;' but the best decapita-
tion story. from nm artistic point Of view. is
found in the memoirs of Capt. John Smith. The
doughty Captain vouches for the veracity Of the
details, though that is no good reason yhy we
should not use the customary pinch OF salt.
According to his truthful chronicle he overcame
in tournament the three champions OF the Turk
ish army, decapitating each ono with a single
4 writer who Is evidently informed on the
subject claims that Mahmoud Bey could not
IN ordinary sabre. and asserts that the Turks
yataRhnn was loaded with quicksilver. A
Something like a butchers cieaver. with an ap-
pNrentiy hollow tube running along the back
unirkR all yer Vhan The gunrd Ia hold nnrinhf
struck the, liquid metal is hurled down tho
claimed. was. in Mahmoud Bcy's hands when he
dashed ahead Of his troops and decapitated the
Greek officer who was firing at him.
s,snsG Is Of nn iss b sina ont in the he history fds , T 9t a .I hnnd Icst
was performed during the civil war, not with a
LOADED" yataghan. but with an, ordinary
the sword in this episode, Col. f. Bloss Parsons.
died two weeks ago in Rochester. n. Y: Col.
known men in New York State. and though he
had never related the story. the details were
The incident was illustrated and described in
HTrner,s nrss,v at the time.
as a horseman, was attached to Gen. Sheridan's
staff, While reconnoitring one day with a
surprised by n detachment of Confederate cav
airy. A pitched battle ensued, and Parsons, who
was in The rom, saw a rebel officer level a re-
oiNe ~ 'Il bdN ls y HShi. JuDDlnp II SPURS
into his horse, he swung his sabre above his
head, and. dashing by Just as the officer Ar. d. he
crates head loaped from the shoulders MS swiftly
as II II had been severed by n Ruillotine. The
feat fss, P j. mS5s w rsm = rTjmI be shSe !. j. fs; Sonsi ID; Sd
In comparison. Mahmoud Boys single slash
with his y~ataehan loses much OF its Importance.
Co. Parsons was brevetted General for distiu-
guished services during the war: but character
istic modesty forbade the use Of that title when
perform the only authentic feat OF decapitation
during the civil war. but he was the hero OF a
OF Gettysburg was Tough, Gen. Meade had an
important message to send to Gen. Harding. a
f hnnarGi a m ensnt ais's s%srmi hs W ,hs T reSsIs, Was ,Ss
message was written on tissue paper. that 1t
might be- swallowed in case the carrier was cap
tured. The commander was IN doubt regarding
a suitable messenger. He summoned Gen. Davis
to hcadanarters.
tho most trustworthy man. in the service r
"Gol. Parsons; sir, was the prompt reply.
1t was d o'clock on a Monday night when Gen.
lie waste ride with ali haste to Gen. Hardinv's
hcmdQuar'crs and return, at once with nm answer.
The MESSENGER sctiTed, Two hundred miles
they led through the enemy.s country.
EXACTLY at noon on the following day Col. Par.
string OF oaths.
rs this the way you obey orders r. he thun-
dercd. What are you hanging around camp
for YOU. ought to be with Gen. Harding by
this time
Il have Just returned from Gen. Harding, sir"
"fon lie exclaimed the exasperated General.
Parsons's face paled, and he dug the nails In
his hands to restrain himself. Gen. Meade"
he said. in a voice that i'll concealed his anger.
III YOU were not my comm andinR officer, I
would knock you down for that insult" With
out the ~formality OF a salute, he turned on his
heel and left the tent. Meade afterward made
an Rmnle apology.
Col. Parsons killed two horses and went him.
self without a particle OF food; For eighteen
hours he was not out OF tho saddle.