Presentiments of death before battle

NH Civil War Gal

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This was written by Wilburn Hinman that happened to him.

"There were always some who had, or thought they had, presentiments of death just before going into a battle, and it was their habit to place money, watches and other valuables in the possession of comrades who, they seemed to think, would be in more fortunate, although in every respect as likely to fall as themselves. They did not on this account shrink from danger. Indeed there was no more sublime courage than that which carried a soldier with unfaltering step into the enemy's fire when he believed he was marching to his death. It is not probable that those whose minds were clouded by presentiments suffered any greater ratio of mortality than those who were free from such forebodings. The writer was twice made the custodian of the effects of a comrade who was always sure he would be killed. The third time he had a pre-sentiment that the writer would be killed, too, and put his watch and money into the hands of another. The latter was taken prisoner and the valuables were "gobbled" by his captor's. After that the comrade had no more presentiments and acted as his own treasurer. He went through every battle in which the regiment participated and was not even touched."
 
Was it not common for CW soldiers to write their name and other information on paper, and pin it to their uniform when going into battle?
For some of them they did. They certainly made preparations with writing letters home, making last wills, and doing things like that. Unfortunately, not enough did it OR the paper disintegrated or got blown away during the battles bcause there are so many unknowns.
 
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