The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1898-07-12
A SOLDIERS TARGET
BY CHARLES B. LEWIS.
Copyright. Itos.
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TACH man, as he signed his name on
I the enlistment roll, realized that
war meant fight, and that fight meant
kill. This idea was further drilled into
us in camp; it formed the basis of the
coloneI's address as we marched TO the
front; it brought our muskets TO an
''aim" as we caught sight of the enemy
for the first time. We had become SOL
diers to march, fight and kill. 1t was
to be looked upon as matter of bust
ness, as well as a patriotic duty. The
sooner the strength of the enemy was
exhausted, the sooner we would have
peace.
We thought that every man in Com
pany G had the same feeling--to kill
but we had not been long at the front
when We found an exception. a score
of slirmishers were ordered down in
front Of the regiment to feel the
strength Of the enemy in the fringe of
bushes along creek. Ambrose Davis
WAS one of Us. lie was man of &C.
n plain, everyday man who had laid
down the tools Of a mechanic to take up
given TO enthusiasm. but he was an
oDedient soldier and the best shot in
the company. As we clan 'ered over
the fence and took "open order on the
broad field which dipped down to the
creek, the enemy in the fringe had a
dead rest on every man. War with
them also meant lsill. To kill one Of
half million men means little. ard yet
it means to kill. Z:pl Pingl Zipl 1t was
not firing by fIe-it was not firing by
volIeys into hattle-line ha.f hidden 10
the smoke, but every bullet that came
pingirg was meant for an individual
soldier.
We erouched down and ran forward.
We zig-zagged to right and left. We
took the shelter Of every knoll, bush
and stump. The enemy had to develop
his strength to check us. In front of
Davis was an opening in the fringe-a
spot where a farm road crossed the
creek The enemy TO the right and left
of this road were using the bank Of the
stream as 4 breastworks, and we were
firing a good deal at random. An Off
Ger suddenly appeared in the center Of
this opening, and raising a pair of
glasses to his eyes he took a cool sur
vey of the regiment far back of us on
TIE hill. He was within pistol shot OF
Davis, and he must Lave known il, ard
yet he stood there as cool and calm as
you please to take his chance. 1t was
sheer bravado. Four of our 20 had
been killed, and the enemy was seeking
the lives OF the rest. was to the right
of Davis and could have almost hit
the officer with 4 stone; the man on his 4
left had just as fair a target. He was
rot our game" however-he belonged |
70 Davis. We saw our comrade thrust I
forward barrel of his musket and
bring his eye down to the sights. Then ]
we watched the officer to see him throw /
up his hands and fall. Thirty seconds
passed away. and we glanced back at
Davis. At length L heard the man on I
Davis left shouting to him:
Shoot Shoot Why the devil don't I
you drop that officerl"
l turned to look at Davis, and as I 4
did so he slowed the muzzle of his gun
TO the right and fired into the bushes.
y few seconds later the officer lowered
his glasses, and swinging them in his
hand and perhaps cumming tune, he
slowly disappeared into the bushes.
Later in the day, when Davis singular
action had been reported, the captain
said to him:
Davis, can't believe you are a cow
ard, because you went down on the
1kirmisn line to be shot at, but when
you had an enemy fair under your gun,
and an officer at that. why didn't you
bring him DOWN."
Twas going to, sir. but II couldn't
was the reply
But they were shooting at you to
kill"
Yes, I know"
The captain could hardly reprimand
man for not killing an enemy as he
would have shot down a rabbit, and
here was not one to hint that Davis
acked courage. The incident was for
gotten after 4 little, and such was the
ioldierly conduct OF the man that he
Vas made corporal. When the enemy
behind the works at York
own to bar McClellan's road to Rich
nond he covered his wings with sharp
hooters. and our officers were their
special targets. One day. as three COM
oanies of us were dragging some Of
he heavy siege guns to be put in posi-
ion. major and 4 private were killed
~ sharpshooter who was located in
tree top. He could be plainly made
tut, bet the range was too far for our
irmy muskets. A Berdan rifle was sent
or. and when it arrived cur captain
'ut it into the hands of Private Davis
md said:
"fou are by long odds the best shot
n our company. With dead rest over
hat log you can tumble that man out
Il his tree"