Rensselaer Standard, Volume 1, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 August 1879 — The Breastplate. [ARTICLE]

The Breastplate.

Apropos of the breastplate question, the editor of the Raleigh Observer says he was stationed at Charleston when the fight at Secessionville took place on James Island in the Spring of 1862. At that fight there was a display of desperate courage and determination on the part of a New York regiment composed, perhaps, chiefly of Scotchmen. There was an officer on the field riding a white horse, who, it is said, seemed very reckless and careless of

his person. In fact, he appeared to possess a charmed life. Eventually, however, he was killed. After tfie fight a breastplate, which it Is said he wore, .together with half a dozen other such “protective devices,” was exposed at Charleston and attracted considerable attention. These breastplates were to a considerable extent efficacious, and were without doubt a great protection. Many such trophies were gathered from the field of Becessionville, and inspected by thousands of persons. In many instances rifle balls had made dents in the cuirass, but did not penetrate. Ordinarily the men who were killed wearing these contrivances met their fate by grape and can-

ister, which no buckler could resist In one of the battles around Richmond, the Colonel-of a Pennsylvania regiment, Black, we think his name was, lost his life by trying to protect it with what may be called a metal liver pad. He was struck by a Minnie ball which did not penetrate, but glancing up, bit the Colonel under the chin and came out at the top of his head. Genend Henry C. Wayne writes to the Bavanah News: The breastplates were introduced into the United states army by Major General Irvin McDowell, of the United States army, when Major and Assistant Adjutant General, for the protection of our officers and men in Indian fighting against lances, arrows and armes blanches generally. The Major had visited Europe and Inspected its armies, and brought back from France this breastplate or cuirass for introduction into our service for the purposes above mentioned. This was shortly before the war.' I was, at the time, in charge of the bureau of clothing, equipage and equipment in the Quartermaster General’s office of the United States army, and Major McDowell exhibited ana explained to me officially the use and manner of using the plates. Their introduction was approved and sanctioned, by the authorities, and having been adopted as an incidental equipment, were no doubt used in the civil war. I heard during the war of their use, and that their utility, extra weight considered, was a matter of discussion. The famous Cuirassers of France wear steel breastplates aud back pieces outside over tneir clothing, and assuredly their record is one not to be ashamed of. The change from one heavy piece outside to two light, flexible and tough steel plates, conveniently pocketed, when desired, in the breast of the ordinary military coat of other arms of service, was an improvement in accordance with the progress of the period. They were recognized in Europe as legitimate protectors, and so worn, and were equally legitimate in America. We had none. If we had possessed them those who believed in their protection would, no doubt, have carried them as in Fnffice, sans peur et sans reproche.