FIGHTING UPON HIS OWN HOOK*. – A Kentuckian,
who disdained the restraints of a soldier’s life, with his name
on the muster-roll, preferred “going it alone,” fighting
upon his own hook. While the battle was raging fiercest, and the shot
flying thick as hail, carrying death wherever they fell, Kentuck might
have been stationed under a tall maple, loading and firing his rifle,
as perfectly unconcerned as though he was “picking deer.”
Every time he brought his rifle to his shoulder one of the enemy bit
the dust. A general officer, supposing he had become separated from
his company, rode up to bring him behind the redoubts, as he was in
a position which exposed his person to the fire of the enemy. “Hallo,
my man! What regiment do you belong to?” said the general. “Regiment!”
answered Kentuck. “Hold ‘em, yonder’s another of ‘em.”
And bringing his shooting-iron to his shoulder, he ran his eye along
the barrel – a flash followed, and another of the enemy came tumbling
to the ground. “Whose company do you belong to?” again inquired
the general. “Company be banged!” was the reply of Kentuck,
as he busied himself re-loading. “See that ar fellow with the
gold fixins on his coat and hoss**. Jist watch me perforate him.”
The general gazed in the direction indicated by the rifle, and observed
an officer riding up and down the advancing columns of the foe. Kentuck
pulled the trigger, and another officer followed his companions that
Kentuck had laid low in the death that day. “Hurrah for Kentuck!”
shouted the free fighter, as his victim came toppling from his horse;
then turning to the general, he continued, “I’m fighting
on my own hook, stranger,” and leisurely proceeded to reload.
DEFINITIONS: -
*Fighting upon his own hook = going it alone e.g. fighting by his
own efforts.
**See that ar fellow with the gold fixins on his coat and hoss
= See that there fellow with the gold fixings on his coat and horse
