Wine More Deadly Than Cannon

Wendell Phillips, in his address at the Music Hall yesterday said; “I know a soldier in the army of the Potomac, who was picked up in the streets of Philadelphia one year ago a complete wreck, a confirmed inebriate, but who was, by the love of a sister and the charity of a Boston home, placed once more on his feet.  He was at Ball’s Bluff, and three times with unloaded musket charged upon the enemy.  He was one of six who heroically defended and brought away the body of the fallen leader of that bloody fight.  The captain of the company to which he belonged died in his arms; received the last words of consolation from his lips.  He was afterwards conspicuous in the conflict until the orders were given for each to seek his own safety, removing some of his apparel he plunged into the inhospitable river, and after great exertion landed on the opposite bank, seven miles below the encampment.  Nearly exhausted, chilled; half-clad, half-starved, he reached the camp.  The captain of the next company to which he belonged kindly said to him, pouring out a glass of wine: “Let me give you this; you will perish without it.”  “I thank you, sir,” said the soldier, “but I would sooner face all the cannon of the enemy than to taste that glass of wine.” – Boston Transcript.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, February 19, 1862, p. 2