A Rabbit in Battle

From The National Intelligencer, Washington DC, 9/6/1862, p. 2:

A RABBIT IN BATTLE
A full-grown rabbit had hid itself away in the copse of a fence, which separated two fields near the centre and most exposed portion of the battle ground. Rabbits are wont to spend the day almost motionless, and in seeming dreamy meditation. This one could have had but little thought--if rabbits think--when choosing its place of retreat at early dawn, that ere it was eventide there would be such an unwonted and ruthless disturbance. During all the perparations for battle made around its lair during the forenoon, it nevertheless remained quiet. Early, however, in the afternoon, when the rage of battle had fairly begun, and shot and shell were falling thick and fast in all directions, a shell chanced to burst so near the rabbit's hiding place that he evidently considered it unsafe to tarry longer. So frightened, almost to death, out he sprang into the open field, and ran hither and thither with vain hope of finding a safe retreat. Whichever way it ran, cannons were thundering out their smoke and fire, regiments of men were advancing or changing position, horses galloping here and there, shells bursting and solid shot tearing up the ground. Sometimes it would squal down and lie perfectly still, when some new and suddendanger would again start it into motion. Once more it would stop and raise itself as high as possible on its hind legs, and look all round for some place of possible retreat. At length that part of the field seemed open which lay in the direction opposite from where the battle raged most fiercely. Thither it accordingly ran with all its remaining speed.

Unobserved by it, however, a regiment was in that direction held in reserve, and, like Wellington's at Waterloo, was lying flat on the ground in order to escape the flying bullets. Ere the rabbit seemed aware it had jumped into the midst of these men. It could go no further, but presently nestled down beside a soldier, and tried to bide itself under his arm. As the man spread the skirt of his coat over the trembling fugitive, in order to insure it all the protection in his power to bestow, he no doubt feelingly remembered how much himself then needed some higher protection, under the shadow of whose arm might be hidden his own defenceless head from the fast multiplying missiles of death scattered in all directions.

It was not long, however, before the regiment was ordered up and forward. From the protection and safety granted the timid creature had evidently acquired confidence in man--as the boys are wont to say "had been tamed." As the regiment moved forward to the front of the attle it hopped along tame, seemingly, as a kitten, close at the feet of the soldier who had bestowed the needed protection. Wherever the regiment went during all the remaining part of that bloody day and terrible battle the rabbit kept close beside its new friend. When night came on, and the rage of battle had ceased, it finally, unmolested and quietly, hopped away in order to find some one of its old and familiar haunts.