Good-natured U.S. General John Sedgwick (pictured) was walking with one of his adjutants along the battle line near Spotsylvania, Virginia, when a sharpshooter's bullet whizzed by. Men around him dived to the ground. The surprised general politely reprimanded them for dodging single bullets. A short time later, while another soldier walked by the general, another bullet whizzed by. The soldier dove to the ground, receiving another remonstrance from the general, who said, “Why, my man, I am ashamed of you, dodging that way. They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance." Just then, another bullet whizzed by, this time ending with “a dull heavy stroke,” according to the adjutant. When the adjutant turned to speak to the general, he noticed blood just below the general’s left eye. Then the general collapsed to the ground and died. (Source: "Battles and Leaders of the Civil War," Castle Books)
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