“Fire at the Crisis.” — 556
During one of the battles on the Mississippi, between General Grant’s forces and General Pillow’s soldiers, the latter officer called out to a Capt. Duncan, in his usual pompous, solemn manner: “Captain Duncan, fire! the crisis has come.” Duncan, without saying a word, turned to his men, who were standing by their guns already shotted and primed, and simply called out, “Fire!” The men were slightly surprised at the order, there being no particular object within range, when an old grey-headed Irish sergeant stepped up with “Plaze, yer honour, what shall we fire at?” “Fire at the crisis,” said Duncan. “Didn’t you hear the general say it had come?”