Evening star., 1898-04-22
COURAGE IN \ SOLDIER.
The True Article is Founded On Pres
cncc of Mind.

From the Detroit Free Press.
what, in your opinion. DOCTOR constf-
tutes true courage in a soidier?' l asked
gray-headed army surgeon, who refuses to
let he use his name in print. and who has
related to lhe many thrilling episodes anu
adventures of the great war with the
south. True courage" said he in reply,
81 believe is founded on presence of mind.
The officer or soldier who, In thu face of
imminent peril, can hold up watch and
count the seconds is brave, self-possessed,
reliable. 1 have seen an officer In battle
fight on unfiinchingly, bleeding from many
wounds, of which he was needless, and
later on have witnessed the same man
turn pale and almost faint while holding the
hand of another that the surgeon might
operate for some trifiing aiiment. great
deal has been written about the heroism
of the soldier when going into battle.
matter of pride and duty. The soldier
while standing under the CALLING fire of
the enemy looks at his neighbors on the
right and left, and seeing them clutch
their guns firmly, although shaking with
something akin to fear, thinks he will be
Stunned If he shows the white feather,
and so when the order to charge is given
he ruShcS forward with mis- comrades, who
Lerhaps experienced the same sensations
as himself Once in the fight there is no
thought Of fear, and the oftener the sol
Gler nghtS the less reluctant he feels to
being under fire.
AN incident came under my observation
during the siege of Atlanta, which, l think,
exhibited a fine display of courage A
federal battery was ordered to retire from
the front line on account of the great dam
age the horses were receiving. 1t was just
about to move back. when shell from
the enemy struck one of the caissons. The
of giant frecrackers. At this point a
driver, who had always been rated more
or less of coward. coolly stepped up to
the caisson of exploding shells and poured
bucket of water over them, and as soon
as the tow plugs became wet the danger
was over. The whole thing had been done
without the slightest sign of excitement or
Indication that the incident was ANYTHING
out of the ordinary.
Here are the cases Of two boys. which
show different degrees Of courage. One Of
them on picket post one day was charged
by squad of confederate cavalry. He
stood his ground firmly, waited until they
were within easy range and then shot one
OF them, and the remainder assuming thai
ne had support near by, quickly retreated.
The other boy was firmly convinced he
could never be struck by a hostile bullet
At Rock Face R'6ge there was a three
days assault on a fort in front of Dalton
Ca and one day this younger soldier in
spite of warnings. took position at the
edge of some woods in front of the fort,
exposing himself to the enemy's sharp
shooters. He stood in full view of the
confederate rif1emen and would motion on
which side of him their bullets struck
| Finally he Was hit squarely on the head
and instantly killed.
Il recall feat of sergeant in the Dist
New York Cavalry. which for pluck and
cool calculation was truly admirable and
| entities the hero of it to praise for his
| courage and presence of mind in the face
! OF danger. The sergeant while out scout
| lrg with companion in the Loudoun val
| ley, visited a farm house for the purpose
| OF getting supper. While they were wait
! ing for the meal Col. Mosby and his ad-
1utant entered the house. The sergeant's
| companion escaped through the kitchen.
| hut the sergeant himself was nlaying the
| piano In the parior. and having divested
| himself of his arms was easily made a
| prisoner. He was compelled to ride the