The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1863-11-04
An Heroic Old Man. /.

The following letter was not written for pubca-
ton II Is from soldier, and Is especially Inter
esting as rbins the endurance and exploits Of
an old man in 1t is published In the
Mobile Tribune:
HEADQUARTERS. .MAxIaAuLT's RRIaADE,(
Missionary Ridge, Oct. y, 1863.
presume you know Father ChalIon, Catholic
Priest Of Mobile. Well, he has brother, an old
man Of perhaps sixty years, who Is member OF
Lapt. Hurtel's company. This old man was In
Kansas when the war broke OUT. He Immediately
turned his steps homeward, and coming across a
Louisiana regiment he joined 1t as private. Gen.
Mccullough, with whom the regiment was, hap
pened to notice this brave old man, and also seeing
how clleerfuy Nc bore the tatigmes and dangersof
camp and battle, offered him a staff appointment;
private In the ranks until ne could find some Of
the Mobile or Alabama troops. This was not
effected, however, until he got to COunth with
price's army. Soon after he was transferred TO
the Oath Ali hama regiment, Company A, com
manded by your fellow citizen, A. fiurtei, where
he has remained ever since, discharging hts duties
faithfully and well; so much so, Indeed, that he
was noticed by the General of the brigade aud
other officers with whom he was q great favosite,
and many was the time that he might have been
nOticed sittiag around the .GeBernl's FIRE In free
conversation with that officer, always eager fof
news, aad when ne obtained any that was good
~Oud hurry of 10 impart Il to his regiment. But
for the incident:
Ii was ON the ever memorable day Of the Goth Of
Ion took his place In the front ranks % attack the
enemy In strong position tiii. Gailaatly did
all act this occasion, but ccnspicuons among
those brave men the subject of this anecd0te
They rushed on arlsing the eneRy from his breast
works. capturing three piece Of ail1eTy, &c.; but
the en6lade 6ee from the right and len was SO
very heavy that we were obliged 70 fall back -
Here Mr.. Challon fell with hls thigh hs0ken. 1t.
Higey, passing BY and seeing his condition, ten
deTed him asslslAhce, but the old maa waived him
or telling him 20 snd whip the Yankees and let
him ai0ne. that hs would take care Of himself.
We nsoved On, leaving the litter bearers TO take
care Of the dead aad wounded; bat in few mo-
ents the reached us that the enetAy had set
Ore to the woods BY their guhs aad that the wound
ed WOulA nil be harmed 70 death.
Several O1keeFs anpedsalesy volunteered 70 take
q party aud rescue the su0creSss They h1secned
20 the spot and suceeeded IN s3vjns Ill orr men,
but not until some Of tlscm had been se0sched
Among these latter was my old ffiena, who WAS
uapfuIly hauling with lhls new enemy. 0e had
ceuwled s0Gae dtseance fOu the spot where be Tell,
and uaany Of the sngeOns think that be, IN these
elosvs breke Ma thigh entirely, that was Only
ltacsased In the DIRT instance BY the ball. The
ga uaa 10 stili alive and stsOag hOpes are enter
tatned Of his recovery, his cheesfolness aiding IN
Il. Many of the nsigade have visited hin. He z
l slvays eheesfOl, aad says, "n0 matter, tho Old
naa caa die wa whipped the rascals." ]" God
egapt thas ~ uaay Ase. ] thiRk BE deserves -
I'VE snA now, 10, tps't y0a tAink that many ~
elHe saxy- -aWays q h0ue, II they kneW this anee-
a0ee Of g year oiAes.ana . foreigner q tnsA'
wOula be aAha,ne6 a. theiS suassltrlesy Ac. Eas
vush iuto Ne arny ana emulate such hesetsA -
thia old nsaa has sAeWn.