Speaking of General Cass's career reminds me of my own.

I was not at Stillman's defeat, but I was about as near it as Cass was to Hull's surrender, and, like him, I saw the place very soon afterwards.
It is quite certain that I did not break my sword, for I had none to break.

But I bent my musket pretty badly on one occasion.

If Cass broke his sword the idea is that he broke it in desperation.

I bent my musket by accident.