CHAPTER XXXII.
HONORABLE MENTION.
The surgeon examined Tom's wound, and found that he had been struck by a bullet over the left temple.

The flesh was torn off, and if the skull was not fractured, it had received a tremendous hard shock.

It was probably done at the instant when he turned to rally the men of Company K, and the ball glanced under the visor of his cap, close enough to scrape upon his skull, but far enough off to save his brains.

Half an inch closer, and the bullet would have wound up Tom's earthly career.
The shock had stunned him, and he had dropped like a dead man, while the profusion of blood that came from the wound covered his face, and his friends could not tell whether he was killed or not.

He was a pitiable object as he lay on the ground by the surgeon's quarters; but the veteran soon assured himself that his young charge was not dead.
Hapgood washed the gore from his face, and did what he could in his unscientific manner; and probably the cold water had a salutary effect upon the patient, for when Hancock and Kearney had completed their work, and the cry of victory rang over the bloody field, he was sufficiently revived to hear the inspiring tones of triumph.