A Good Shot

From Stories, Anecdotes and Humor from the Civil War

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William McGowan, of the thirty-sixth Virginia infantry, was a good shot. At the battle of Fort Donelson, Bill saw a Yankee's head peering above a stump. Pointing his gun in that direction he fired. The Yankee remained with his gun levelled across the stump. Bill reloaded, fired, once, twice, thrice, four times, with the same result.

Turning to his brother, he said, "Charlie, do you see that Yankee behind that stump? I have fired five shots at his head, and cannot make him remove it. You give him a shot." Just then the line was advanced, and Bill made for the stump.

The Yankee still held his position, with five holes in his cranium.

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