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Story
May 21, 1887
Martinsburg Independent
Martinsburg, Berkeley County, West Virginia
What is this article about?
Narrator Maurice Thompson recounts a young soldier's bravery: under fire from 400 troopers, he crosses 200 yards of open ground to chop down a telegraph pole with an axe, undeterred by bullets and a cannon shot that scatters bricks, earning admiration from both sides.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Under Fire.
It was once my fortune, says Maurice Thompson, to see a young man take an axe in his hand and walk across 200 yards of open ground, under the fire of 400 dismounted troopers, and deliberately cut down a telegraph pole. While he was chopping away at the tough cedar wood I could plainly see the splinters whirling away from the pole from top to bottom, as the whizzing bullets aimed at him crashed through it or scraped its sides with ragged scars. Near by stood a brick chimney, where a house had burned down; a twelve-pound shot struck the pile and it went tumbling to earth, scattering its bricks about, some of them striking the soldier's leg. He did not waver. As regular as the beat of a pendulum was the swing of that axe, and when the pole fell friends and foes vied together in yelling their admiration of the young man as he deliberately shouldered his axe and returned to his place in his command.—Argonaut.
It was once my fortune, says Maurice Thompson, to see a young man take an axe in his hand and walk across 200 yards of open ground, under the fire of 400 dismounted troopers, and deliberately cut down a telegraph pole. While he was chopping away at the tough cedar wood I could plainly see the splinters whirling away from the pole from top to bottom, as the whizzing bullets aimed at him crashed through it or scraped its sides with ragged scars. Near by stood a brick chimney, where a house had burned down; a twelve-pound shot struck the pile and it went tumbling to earth, scattering its bricks about, some of them striking the soldier's leg. He did not waver. As regular as the beat of a pendulum was the swing of that axe, and when the pole fell friends and foes vied together in yelling their admiration of the young man as he deliberately shouldered his axe and returned to his place in his command.—Argonaut.
What sub-type of article is it?
Heroic Act
Military Action
Personal Triumph
What themes does it cover?
Bravery Heroism
Triumph
Survival
What keywords are associated?
Heroic Act
Under Fire
Telegraph Pole
Military Bravery
Axe Chopping
What entities or persons were involved?
Maurice Thompson
Young Man
Soldier
Where did it happen?
Open Ground Near A Burned House
Story Details
Key Persons
Maurice Thompson
Young Man
Soldier
Location
Open Ground Near A Burned House
Story Details
A young soldier walks 200 yards under fire from 400 troopers to cut down a telegraph pole with an axe, ignoring bullets splintering the wood and a cannon shot scattering bricks that hit his leg, then returns to his command amid cheers from both sides.