The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1915-05-11
THE NEW
CAPTAIN
By M. QUAD
Copyright. 1914, by Associated Lit
erary Press.
By M. QUAD

-
Of the Tenth volunteers got new cap
tain by transfer. He was fair hair
ed, blue eyed man. who lacked rugged
ness and sternness. The rough and
rugged men looked the new captain
over and said to each other:
BAH He's no fighter. They've sent
us man who hasn't the heart to Kill
Sheep
Later on. when Company III had been
out on the picket lines and had u sharp
skirmish with the enemy, there was
strange talk among the men.
do you know" whispered the order
" sergeant to the first corporal. that
,aptain?"
Hush, hush" replied the corporal.
II won't hush. was watching him
I'm that little scrimmage, and he was as
white as a sheet and trembling like
leaf"
Next day the captain sent for the Or
derly sergeant. and the latter had
strong suspicion. but he was greeted
quietly and pleasantly, and the captain
asked few questions before saying:
80, sergeant. you think I'm cow
ard and should be forced to resign"
Sergeant Clay was bluff, blunt
man. The captain had asked him d.
rect question. and, throwing military
etiquette to the dogs, he answered.:
"You didn't make no record to be
proud Of out there the other day.
~ was very nervous" slowly admit
ted the captain after q long pause.
ut was my first time under fire. 1
wasn't afraid Of being killed, that I can
remember, but the excitement upset
me. Suppose you and the boys wait a
bit before you send me request to
resign. don't know myself yet. and
you can't fairly call me a failure until
we have another turn at 1t. II my
nerves fail me in the next crisis you
won't have to demand my resignation.
Are you willing to waltz"
captain" the sergeant whispered as
feeling Of awe came to him. 1T amt
for you to ask this or that Of lis. It's
for me to say that there'lI be no more
talk among the boys and that In our
next fight you'll make record to be
proud Of"
1t had been man to man instead of
captain to sergeant, and it was still so
when their hands were extended and
clasped.
"Well| queried half dozen ser
geants and corporals as the orderly re-
turned to his quarters,
well. you hear me now" replied
the man as he looked from one to the
other. We've done lot Of talking
with our mouths. From this time on
till we've seen our captain prance
about In another scrimmnge we are
going to shet right up. The chap as
does any blowing won't be no friend OF
mine"
A week later began the campaign
which ended in the battle of Antietam
Fighting Joe" Hooker was leading
the division to which the Third bri-
gade and the Tenth volunteers belong
ed, and as Company II pressed for
ward the second sergeant muttered to
the orderly:
"How's-how's things Goin' to be at
the head Of the company
NOW, don't you worry the shirt OF
your back before it's time, Joe Hope.
I'm going to wait and see, ana the rest
Of you have got to do the same. Durn
a man who won't give another man a
fair show"
AS the Tenth regiment got the word
the captain of Company II passed swift
ly before his line. In the ghOstly light
he seemed taller by foot. The men
who peered at him saw that his jaws
were firm and set and his eyes blazing
''IIe means fight" whispered the first
corporal
"Say. he'll lead US into hades and
back" muttered the second sergeant.
Forward. guide left. moved the
Tenth. and the front line had scarcely
brushed the wet on the cornstalks
when they met with volley. 1t was
SO close and deadly that there was con-
fusion. The center broke back, the
tanks halted. and order and discipline
We're lost
attention. Company ii! BY the right
fank-march. On the left into line!
Forward double quick-chnrge bayO-
nets"
IL was the voice OF the new captain.
and, like clock work. the men who were
tumbling over each other fell into line
and plowed their way ont OF the hurly
burly. As they cleared the mob their
muskets came tS,wn to the charge, and
with shouts and cheers. they drove
through n line of battle and sent a
thousand men scurrying away through
the mists. AS they stood painting, with
dead and wounded under their feet
the other companies came marching NJ
to join them and to hold the position
Then the sun blazed up over the hills
and deyOured the mist at n guip unU
every living man in Company II turn
ell to look at his captain. His face wa,
as white rs dead mans, but there
was "a grim smile Of triumph over 1t
aud the exultation OF battle was max
ing his blue eyes shine like stars.