From The Regimental Flag: A Brace of Accidents

part of a series from the regimental newspaper of the 2nd Delaware Infantry

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From The Regimental Flag (Vol. 4), February 6, 1862, pg. 2
A BRACE OF ACCIDENTS NEARLY.

On Wednesday while Lieut. Bullock, of Snow’s Maryland Battery B, encamped adjoining our regiment was drilling his company in the musket drill, he ordered them to “ground Arms,” which they did, he at the time standing in front of them remarked, “I had better move away from here” and just as he stepped aside, the heel of one of the men as he raised himself up after laying his piece on the ground, struck the cock of the gun and discharged it, the bullet passing over the exact point the Lieutenant had just quitted. After the drill was ended one of the men, while showing how the gun was discharged struck his heel on the hammer in the very same manner, and the ball passed just behind the heels of the same Lieutenant who was at the moment going toward the stables and happened to be in range of the musket.