having dodged mexican bullets and fought hand to hand with indians , he possessed an inner strength and courage , as well as intelligence , that were uncommon for most , distinguishing himself for his skill with a firearm as well as a scalpel .
having dodged Mexican bullets and fought hand to hand with Americans, he possessed an inner strength and courage, as well as intelligence, that were uncommon for most, distinguishing himself for his skill with a firearm as well as a scalpel.