The captain lived, and went to Washington quite recovered, where he received a government leg (gratis) which fitted so well that he could jump off a moving car. He then went home quite well, having sacrificed a leg to his country. His temperate clean manner of living served him in an emergency and carried him over the crisis.
The mistaken idea of so many men, especially military men of that time, that liquor gives strength and courage, cost many an otherwise pure character his life in such an exigency.
By contrast with the above I will cite the case of Colonel Murphy, Sixty-ninth New York Infantry, second corps, a brave officer, worshipped by his men. He was a man of fine physique and robust appearance when I saw him, despite his fatal wound, a fracture of the thigh, similar to that of the Pennsylvania captain. To perform the amputation and carry him over successfully it was necessary to stimulate him and this was impossible, his body being already over-stimulated by the drinking habit to the last degree. I never before begrudged anything to a wounded man, but I knew that my choice brandy could not help him. He died without even a chance of being saved, mourned and regretted by his whole corps.
CHAPTER XIV
AN UNEXPECTED RIDE
On a beautiful clear night, while still in the Corps d’Afric, a party of ladies and officers walked a short distance to a cabin where a negro preacher drew a large crowd. This man, though uneducated, was a wonder of natural oratory and eloquence. In addressing his admiring audience his vocabulary was remarkable, as he used some extraordinary sentences such as—“All the englomerated hosts of heaven.”
While at this meeting an orderly came for me saying that a couple of officers from the front desired to see me at my tent. I found there two uniformed, mounted officers awaiting me, one of whom proved to be my old friend Captain Frank Dexter of the Engineer Corps.
The night was perfect in a mild atmosphere and a full orbed moon, and I was reminded of James’ old time “Solitary Horseman,” though here were two rarely handsome men of fine physique; and as they stood, holding their fiery steeds, they formed a romantic picture.
After a pleasant talk of home and friends they remounted, and with raised sombreros, their spurred horses dashed away to the clinking of sword and hoofs, while the bright moon rays glinted uniforms and accoutrements, till they passed under the shadow of the distant woods.
