. The story of American heroism; thrilling narratives of personal adventures during the great Civil war, as told by the medal winners and roll of honor men . zing cries of water! water! In the afternoon the general sat in thenorth room upstairs of Mrs. Stevens house, in front of the road, surveyingthe field, when Kirkland came up. With an expression of indignantremonstrance pervading his person, his numiier. and the tones of his v^oice,he said, General! I cant stand this. What is the matter, sergeant? asked the general. AMERICAN HEROISM. 291 He replied. All night and all day J have heard those
. The story of American heroism; thrilling narratives of personal adventures during the great Civil war, as told by the medal winners and roll of honor men . zing cries of water! water! In the afternoon the general sat in thenorth room upstairs of Mrs. Stevens house, in front of the road, surveyingthe field, when Kirkland came up. With an expression of indignantremonstrance pervading his person, his numiier. and the tones of his v^oice,he said, General! I cant stand this. What is the matter, sergeant? asked the general. AMERICAN HEROISM. 291 He replied. All night and all day J have heard those poor people cryingfor water, and 1 can stand it no longer. I come to ask permission to go andgive them water. The general regarded him for a moment with feelings ofprofound admiration, and said: ■ Kirkland. dont you know that you would get a bullet through yourhead the moment you stepped over the wall? Yes, sir, he said. I know that: bnt if vou will let me. I am willing totry it. After a pause, the general said : Kirkland. 1 ought not to allow you torun such a risk, but the sentiment which actuates you is so noble that I will ^.ec^l v. ■ vv-- X^J. Heroism of Privatk not refuse your request, trusting that God may protect you. Yon may go. The sergeants eyes lighted up with pleasure. He said: Thank you, sir, and ran rapidly down stairs. The general heard him pause for a 292 THE STORY OF moment, and then return, bounding two steps at a time. He thought thesergeants heart had failed him. He was mistaken. The sergeant stoppedat the door and said: General, can I show a white handkerchief? Thegeneral slowly shook his head, saying emphatically, No, Kirkland, you cantdo that. All right, sir, he said, Ill take the chances, and ran downwith a bright smile on his handsome countenance. With profound anxiety he was watched as he stepped over the wall onhis errand of mercy — Christlike mercy. It appeared as if every gun in theenemys line had been turned upon him, and the bull
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