Battlefield Tales

[tmh10]

We printed a few days ago from an Atlanta paper an account of a mocking bird which, at the battle of Resaca, perched itself on the top of a tree and during the fight imitated the whistling of the bullets and other noises incident to a battle. Another, and more touching incident of a similar character was yesterday related to us by Captain George Babbitt of General Gresham's staff and of which he himself was a witness. During the fierce cannonading at Nickajack a small bird came and perched upon the shoulders of an artilleryman - the man designated we believe as "No.1", whose duty it is to ram down the charge after the ammunition is put in the gun. The piece was a Napolean, which makes a very loud report. The bird as we have stated perched itself upon the man's shoulder and could not be driven from its position by the violent motions of the gunner. When the piece was discharged the poor little thing would run its neck and head up under the man's hair at the back of the neck, and when the report died away would resume its place upon his shoulder. Capt. Babbitt took the bird in his hand, but when he released his grasp it immediately resumed its place on the shoulder of the smoke-begrimed gunner. The scene was witnessed by a large number of officers and men. It may be a subject of curious inquiry what instinct led it to throw itself upon this gunner as a protector. But, whatever the cause the incident was a most beautiful and pleasing one to all who witnessed it.


Courage of Horses at Bull Run - The following incidents of the courage displayed by horses at the battle of Bull Run, are related by a Washington correspondent. One of the guns of the celebrated Sherman's Battery was rescued from capture by the rebels and brought off the field by two horses that had been shot through by Minie musket balls. When the order "Forward" was given they resolutely straightened out and absolutely brought off the gun. At the commencement of battle Lt. Hasbrouck, of the West Point Battery, was riding a little sorrel horse. In a short time he was shot three times and from loss of blood became to weak for further service. He was stripped of bridle and saddle and turned loose, as his owner supposed, to die. In the heat of the contest nothing more was thought of the little sorrel, nor was he seen again until the remnant of the battery was far towards Washington on the retreat. It paused at Centreville and while resting there, Lt. Hasbrouck was delighted to be joined by his faithful horse, which, by strolling instinct had obeyed the bugle call to retreat, and had found his true position with the battery, which is more than most of the human mass engaged on the field can boast of doing. He came safely into Washington, is now recovered of his wounds and ready for another fight.

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