The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-09-15
[Frem the Memphi. Ava,anehs.l

rFrcm the Memphis Ava'anchel
There is at LaGrange, Tenn, a naturalized
foreigner whose life has been crowded with
incidents and events Of most remarkable If not
romantic character. r. I. DeAragon is q native
of the Island of Cuba, where he was born about
the year 1927. As his name indidstes. bis family
csme from old spain and settled ia the Queen
Of the Antilles early in the last century. He
received his literary education at the best schools
Of Havana. Intending 10 engage il the medical
profession, at the age Of eighteen be repaired to
Paris for the purpose of pursuing his studies in
that capital long so justly renowned for its medi-
cal and surgical institutions. From this time
forward his career has been marked by some Of
the strange and most extraordinary freaks of
nature. Young ard ardent and living 10 an
atmosphere of progress, be nsturally.became an
enthusiastic republican, though born subject Of
the crown Of Spain.
The revolution of lsls broke out while he was
siill a student at Paris, and during that year be
might have been seen galantly fighIing behind the
bafTicsdes, which decided the fate Of the Citizen
Kine.r year later be was pursuing his medical
studies at Hamburg. Returning TO America, but
rot 90 bis native isle-fame as republicza soldier
would hardly permit that--he sojOurned few
years at New Orleans, where he quietly practiced
bis profession until the organization of the ILL.,
starred Lopez expedition which, OF course. he
joined. Landing upon the Island OF Cuba, under
the immediate command Of Gen. Lopez, he had
frs. the satisfaction of taking an active and daring
part in the hrst and only encounter with the en-
eny, which, Notwithstanding the immense odds
sgsinst tbem-ten 70 one-resulted In signal
victory TO Lopez and his followers; and secondly,
the nexpressibe misery Of seeing the utter fail
ure Of the expedition from causes which no NOR
tai could have fQreseen or provided for After
the victory ensuetsix weeks Of incessant pouring
rain, which destroyed then ammunition, and BY
consequence so disbeafteued the natives that they
refused 10 rise they had Promised aud so. when
Spanish army OF Is coo bore down on Lopez and
his l60 men, and summoned him TO surrender. that
noble but unfortunate commander gave his fol-
lowers permission 10 dispose aud save themselves
II they could. Out Of tie entire l60. II Is believed
| that DR.. DeArsgon Is almostthe only one who sue
ceeded in efiecting his escape from the island.
| All the rest we're hunted down with bood-hounds
| and miserably perished.
ReQaiDng the United States, DR.. DeAragon
| came TO Memphis and for year or two engaged
in commercial pursuits. Not fancying the lie oil
| a merchant, he resumed the practice OF his pro-
fessop in this vicinity, and was so engaged at the
| breaking out Of the war Enlisting as volunteer
! private in the ever glorious old Thirteenth regi-
ment, Tennessee infantry, he faithfully followed
| the fortunes Of the Confederate cause through
four years of glory and gloom, down 70 the dsas-
| trous close. At the battle Of Belmont be was pro-
| NOTED by Gen. Polk, for gallant service on the
| field, 10 the post Of assistant surgeon: snose-
quenly he rose, step BY step, through the differ
| ent grades Of the medical stan, until the sur
render found him chief surgeon OF division in the
department commanded BY Major Gen. d. Fl.
| kaury.
bodily affection consequent upon disease con-
| nacted from exposure in the performances OF duty
during the war and, as results Of this aiiction,
| has been compelled 70 submit 70 the amputition
| Of bis right leg and the partial paralysis OF his
\ left arm. Thus cut OF from the practice Of his
| chosen profession, he has been forced TO engage
in the only one open 10 hm-the less lacranve one
of school teaching for livelihood he has been
| thus employed In La Grange for several sessions,
| and il has been generally remarked by those who
have sent their children 70 him, or who have at
tended bis examinations that be has SHOWN an ap-
| ttude fof Teaching young children and beginners
Of ell ages truly wonderful in one Who teaches IN
language not bis yernacular. errr