INCIDENTS OF CARRICK’S FORD.–

9. May 2009 by admin.

In one of the Indiana regiments that took part in the fight at Carrick’s Ford, was a Methodist preacher, said to be one of the very best shots of his regiment. During the battle, he was particularly conspicuous for the zeal with which he kept up a constant fire. The Fourteenth Ohio regiment, in the thick of the fight, fired an average of eleven rounds to every man, but this parson managed to get in a great deal more than that average. He fired carefully, with perfect coolness, and always after a steady aim, and the boys declare that every time, as he took down his gun, after firing, he added, “And may the Lord have mercy on your soul!” Evidently he thought the body not worth praying for after the aim he had so carefully taken.

Per contra: One of Steedman’s men (in the Fourteenth Ohio) was from Cheesedom, and didn’t like the irreverent tone adopted by the Southern chivaley in speaking of the “d—d Yankees.” He took deliberate aim, but, unlike the parson, after every fire he added the invariable formula, “Blast your secessions souls, how do you like the Yankees?”

Another, an Englishman, was wounded. Steedman noticed him limping, and called out, “Jack, are you wounded?” “Yes, I’m hit.” “Where are you hit, Jack?” “O, I’m hit in the hip, but—(in great anxiety lest Steedman should send him to the hospital) but it don’t hurt me. I’m only hit in the hip; it don’t hurt me;” and away he blazed with another load, adding, “Confound you, I guess I paid you off that time.”

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