Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1863-11-13
4 soldiers complaint-Heroic Old Man.

A Soldiers Compiaint-Heroic Old Man
The following letter was not written for
publication. It is from gallant soldier,
and is especially interesting as describing
the endurance and exploits Of one who may
be known to many readers Of the Mobile
Tribune.
HEADoUART's MANIeAuLT's BRIGADE,
Missionary Ridge, Oct. 10, 1868.
| presume you know Father Challon, a
Catholic priest Of Mobile. Well. lie has a
brother, an old man of, perhaps, sixty years,
who is member Of Capt. Hurtcls compa-
ny. This old man was in Kansas when the
war broke out; he Immediately turned his
steps homeward, and coming across Lou
isiana regiment be joined it as a private -
General Mccullough, with whom the regi-
ment was. happening to notice this brave
old man, and also seeing how cheerfully he
bore the fatigues and dangers Of camp and
battle, offered him staff appointment, but
MIR Challon refused it, preferring to fight
as private in the ranks unit. he could find
some of the Mobile or Alabama troops. -
This was not effected, however, until he got
to Coripth with Prices army. Soon after,
he was transferred to the Oath Alabama
regiment, company A, commended by your
fellow citizen, "A Hurtel, wfere he has re-
NAMED ever since, discharging his duties
faithfully and well, SO much SO, indeed, that
he was noticed by the General Of the brig
ade and other officers, with whom he was a
great fayorite, and many was the time that
he might have been noticed sitting around
the Generals fire in free conversation with
that officer, always eager for news, and
when he obtained any that was good would
hurry off to imrart it to his regiment. But
for the incident
1t was on the ever memorable day Of the
Goth ofSeptember, (battle Of Chickamauga)
that Mr.. Challon took his place in the front
ranks to attack the enemy n a strong posi-
ton on Hill Calamity did all act on this
occasion, but conspicuous among those brave
men, was the subject Of this anccdote. -
They rushed on, driving the enemy from
his breastworks. capturing three pieces of
artillery. &c., but the enfilade fire from the
right and left was SO very heavy that we
were obliged to fall back. Here Mr.. Chal-
lon fell with his thigh broken. Lieut.. Hig-
ley, passing BY and seeing his condition,
rendered him assistance, but the old man
waived him Of, telling him to 90 and whip
the Yankees and let him alone, that he
would take care Of himself. We moved on.
leaving the litter bearers to take care Of the
dead aud wounded; but 10 few moments
the news reached us that the enemy had set
fire to the goods by their guns and that the
wounded would all be burned to death.
Several officers Immediately volunteered
to take party aud rescue the sufferers
They fastened to the spot and succeeded in
saving all our men, but not until some Of
them had been scorched Among these lat
ter was my old friend, who was manfully
battling with this new enemy. He had
crawIed some distance from the spot where
be fell, and many Of the surgeons think that
he, in these efforts, broke his thigh entirely
that was only fractured il the first instance
by the ball. The old man is still alive, and
and strong hopes are entertained of his re-
covery, his cheerfuness aiding in it. Ma
ny Of the brigade have visited him. He is
always cheerful, and says, mo matter, the
old man can die; we whipped the rascals. .
God grant that he may live. I think he de-
serves to live; aud now, 10, don't you think
that many Of the stay wayers at home, il
they knew this anccdote of a so year Older,
and foreigner at that, would be ashamed
of their substitutes, &C., and rush into the
army and emulate such heroism as this ole
man has shown.