Desire of soldiers for water in battle.--A soldier who was in the Great Bethel fight writes:--“Some of us have had very narrow chances for life.
In the course of the fight, several of us ran across a road along which the cannon of the enemy were constantly playing, in order to get water.
(I find, by the way, that on the battle-field a man will risk his life, without hesitation, for water.) Having got it, we were waiting to rush back again, dodging the balls in order to do so. Our First Lieutenant sang out, ‘ Don't so many of you come at once.’
I, with some others, stopped to allow the next lot to pass.
They made a rush, and when nearly across, a cannon-ball came whizzing along, and killed four men, mowing them down instantly.
One was of our own corps, one of the East Boston company, one a lieutenant of artillery, and one unknown to me. On seeing this, we immediately made a rush after them; but, though running the same risk, went safely over.” --Ohio Statesman, June 23.
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