The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1912-01-04
HORSES IN BATTLE.
They Show Sagacity and Bravery in
Time of Danger.

OF war. FdmllldTlCy VIII UduSeI
probably has it's effect in making
horses fearless, as ignorance of dan
ger doubtless does. Horses are
Creatures of habit, in battle as well
as in the occupations of peace, and
this fact has been the cause of many
an exciting incident on the field of
action. There have been recorded
many interesting illustrations of the
manner Of riderless horses under
fire" and when wounded.
War horses when hit in battle
tremble in every muscle and groan
deeply while their eyes show deep
astonishment. During the battle OF
Waterloo some of the horses as they
lay upon the ground, having recov-
cred from the first effect of their
wounds, fell to eating grass about
them, thus surrounding themselves
with a circle of bare ground, the
limited extent of which showed their
weakness.
Others were observed quietly graz
ing on the field between the two hos
tile lines, their riders having been
shot before off their backs and the
balls flying over their heads, and
the tumult behind, before and around
them caused no interruption to their
feeding. It was also observed that
when a charge of cavalry went past
near to any of the stray horses al
ready mentioned the latter would
set off, from themselves in the rear
of their mounted companions and,
though without riders, gallop siren
uously along with the rest, not stop
ping or f1inching when the fatal
shock with the enemy occurred.
The faculty of war horses of know
ing on which side they belong has
more than once made it awkward for
an enemy who ventured to capture
one and get upon his back.
At the battle of Kirk, in 1745,
Major Mcdonald, having unhorsed an
English officer, took possession of
his mount, which was very beautiful,
and Immediately jumped upon its
back. When the English cavalry
fled the horse ran away with it's cap
tor, Notwithstanding all efforts to re-
strain it, nor did it stop until it was
at the head of the regiment of which
apparently it's master was command
er. The melancholy and at the same
time ludicrous figure which McDon-
aid presented may be easily conceiv-
ed.
Besides the sagacity of army
horses, which enables them to re-
spond to the various bugle calls and
to take their places in the ranks
when their riders have been killed,
they may also be said to show true
heroism. Veteran soldiers say that
horses have a wonderful power OF
enduring an attack made directly
upon them, keeping their places as
long as they can stand.
In 1854, at Reams Station, nearly
sixty horses belonging to one COM
pany became the target of Confeder-
ate sharpshooters, who intended to
take the guns.
The animals were harnessed in
teams of six. When one was hit a
peculiar dull thud indicated that a
bullet had penetrated his flesh, but
after a momentary start he would
settle down quietly again, evidently
realizing that bullets were an incl
dental evil which it was his duty to
endure.
One horse when a bullet entered
his neck only shook his head as if
annoyed by fly, but others would
perhaps fall, only to regain their feet
after lying for awhile.
At the close of this battle Gen
eral Hancock's horse received bull
let in the neck and, falling, appear
ed to be dead. The general mount
ed another, but in few minutes the
fallen animal rose, shook himself and
was again ready for service. He
survived the war many years.
One horse among those attached
to the artillery was shot in the leg,
the bone being broken. He fell, but
instantly scrambled up again and
stood in his place on three legs, re-
naming there until vitality wounded.
Another animal was struck by seven
bullets before he fell for the last
time, and but four horses were taken
alive. from the field.-Harper's
Weekly.
CLEMSON CADET WOUNDED.