Flat Top. — A hot summer day. A very singular thing
happened this afternoon. While we were at supper, 5:30 P. M., a thunder-storm
broke out. It was pretty violent. Avery and Dr. McCurdy got up a warm
discussion on electricity. As the storm passed away we all stepped out of the
tent and began to discuss the height of the clouds, the lapse of time between
the flash and the thunder. While we were talking, Avery having his watch out
and I counting, there came a flash and report. It seemed to me that I was
struck on the top of the head by something the size of a buckshot. Avery and
McCurdy experienced a severe pricking sensation in the forehead. The sentinel
near us was staggered as by a blow. Captain Drake's arm was nearly benumbed. My
horse Webb (the sorrel) seemed hit. Over a hundred soldiers felt the stun or
pricking. Five trees were hit about a hundred yards off and some of them badly
splintered. In all the camps something similar was felt; but "no harm
done."
The news not decisive but favorable. Lost a bet of twenty-five
cents with Christie, Company C, that either Richmond or Corinth would be taken
today.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 282-3
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