In my heat and excitement I wondered that my father did not order his
little company of men to begin firing at a time when every shot would
tell, for there was a feeling of rage within me, roused by the wanton
destruction of the cottages and every portion of the works that would
burn; but I had not learned all my lessons then, and how a just and
brave man, whether soldier or sailor, shrinks from destroying life until
absolutely obliged.
My father came upstairs for a minute about the time when I was thinking
this the most, and I could see a peculiarly hard stern look in his eyes
as the fire flashed through the window upon his face.
"Mind: no firing," he said, "until they attack, and I give the word."