“We lost many men killed and wounded in this second position, and among others was one of our Color Corporals who fell near me mortally wounded. As he recovered consciousness from the shock and saw me bending over him, he said, ‘God bless you, Major,’ and after I had spoken a few sympathetic words to him, I picked up his rifle which was carried during the day. Not long afterward I saw what I supposed to be a Confederate general officer with a member of his staff ride up from a ravine on our right and stop for an instant, evidently for the purpose of examining our position. They were not a hundred yards from us and within easy rifle shot, so I pointed them out to one or two men near me, but as it happened their guns were not loaded. I then thought of the rifle in my own hands which I brought to my shoulder, aimed at the foremost officer and pulled the trigger, but instead of the gun going off the cap ‘popped.’ Before I could recap he turned, and accompanied by his aide rode rapidly down the ravine and out of sight. While I was disappointed at the time at the failure of the gun, the officer deserved to get away unhurt for it was a gallant and daring thing to do.” -- Major Anson McCook, 2nd Ohio
Posted on: Mon, 22 Jul 2013 12:24:49 +0000
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