Feeling on the battle-fields.
--The following is the experience of a wounded Frenchman, in the Crimean war, in regard to the feelings of a soldier in conflict:‘ "Before the battle begins it is usual to feel no little tremor, and many cheeks which are known to be in communication with stout hearts, blanch visibly. As the conflict becomes imminent, courage returns, and with the first flow of blood an enthusiasm is raised which constantly increases, end very seldom flags in the least until the inst. shot is fired.--The effect of seeing a comrade shot down is generally to excite an unappeasable thirst for vengeance against the foe, though in the end one gets used to it."
’ When wounded less than mortally, it is not usual for the soldier to be immediately aware of the fact unless some bones are broken. A sabre may be run through any fleshy part of the body, and even a bullet lodged in dangerous proximity to the vitals, and he for some time be totally unconscious of even a scratch When life is taken by a single blow, the effect is varied with the nature of the wound, as well as with the temperament of the man.--Sometimes the poor fellow will leap high in the air, giving a piercing scream, and again he will lie down quietly. Oftener, however, be simply falls dead without a struggle. In the most cases the features of the killed remained unchanged for a long time after death — eyes open and brilliant, and perchance, a smile illuminating the face. To see such a one it is difficult indeed to realize the presence of the grim monster, death.
