The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-04-09
How the Ohio Colonel Was Wounded at
South Mountain.
BLOODY ENGAGEMENTS.
"reminiscences of His Treatment
with a Friendly Family.
A REAL LOVE STORY.

MiDDLErowS, Nd, April Q, 1877
cannot forbear, even Al this late day, the pubca
ton or interesting events which occurred here
during late rebellion referring directly to tho gen.
tcman has recently been installed President of
tho United States.
The l4th OF September, 1862, was remarkable sun
day in this old fashioned Maryland village For almost
the first time In century the churches were closed
and clamor and tumult offended the sacred hours.
All through the previous night the rebel army under
Lee had been hurrying through the its
westward acfoss tho valley. In the early morning
same McClellan's advance guard in hot pursuit, the
whole Union army following A battery, unlimbered,
ut the western edge OF the village harrassed the reccd
Ing columns or the enemy and drcw some answering,
:csentiul cannon Shots which crashed through the
walls Of ono two dwellings. Residents barred
their doors aud took 10 the cellars, where
horses poultry, provisions and articles OF value
were concealed. When they emerged distant artillery
peals and voeys OF musketry announced tho opening
OF the battle OF South Mountain. They waited for the
issue Of tho engagement with suspense alternating
between hope and disn.ay. Most of them Union
people. Middlctown had already got the nickname OF
"Litte Massachusetts" Should Leo win the battle
they had nothing but caamtics to look for Mcclellan
was their shield against ruin.
One family was especially perturbcd-the family Of
Captain jacob Rudy-whose brick dwelling stood on
the main street, the fourth house from tho western
verge Of the village There the Captain and his
wife, two sons and five daughters Tho oldest son,
Daniel Webster Rudy, was sick In bed IN an upper
chamber. Tho two youngest girls Laura and Ella,
had scarlet evcr and Laura who had boon taken into
the country, and stayed there while the rebels
passing through. returned. rather the worse for
her journey AS the day advanced and the battle
grew louder and dubious reached tho
village Captain Rudy mistrusted his wisdom
in stcking there with house full Of IN
vaids; but IL was too late to remove Late IN the
afternoon the Union wounded began to arrive; ;
procession of ambuances, wagons and stretchers,
showing CHASTITY faces and emitting low, agonzlng
cries, moved up the street. Along with this procession
came news Of the Union victory. Thon the aspect OF
Middletown was changed. Houses were thrown open.
Churches, schoolhouscs, barns and stables pre-
pared Tor wounded men. The whole place was gradu.
ally turned into hospital.
WOUNDED COLONEL.
Just the sun went down beyond the mountain bat
tie field an ambulance, drawn slowly and accompanied
by surgeon, orderly and two colored servants,
mounted approached the village along the turnpike.
An officer lay In the ambulance, mute, haggard, and
evidently in great pain. His light brown hair and
beard dlshevelled, his collar torn away from
his throat and his uniform covered with dust and
soilod with mud
"Joe" no called.
..what is II, Rudsn inquired the surgeon, bending
over IRON his horse.
''Takc me to the first respectable looking private
house We como to after we get into town.
The house selected by Surgeon Webb was Jacob
Rudys Jacob himself stood In the doorway, wearing
under his gravity habitual expression OF good WILL
lis this your home, sir?" asked the Surgeon with
salute
at Isl
"rhen hope you can accommodate my brother-in-
law hero with temporary quarters. II is Colonel
Hayes, OF the Twenty-third Ohio. Ho is severely
wounded in the arm aud needs quiet"
,ra, shan 30 very we'll saa voice from the am
here He will try not 10 mako much trouble"
'All right" broke in the Captain, "Wcll fix you,
think. Let inc speak TO my wife moment"
Mrs. Rudy, hosptublc and alert, soon had a chamber
ready next the occupied by her sick son, Daniel
Thitncr the lighting Ohio Colonel prlcksd hard but
saved by destiny make future President, was con-
vcyed with some difficulty through sundry lower
Rooms aud up u narrow staircase Tho windows were
raised the arm was unbandaged, and Webb carefully
redresscd the wound.
"Therc," said no, when he had finished. snow III
60 down and arrange matters with the family"
HAYES PART IN rnE BATTLE
"Is he pretty badly hurtY asked JACOB Rudy, when
Webb had taken char IN the sitting rocm
..,rs ugly sort OF hurt" replied the young sur
ncon, because the ball hit the bone. Then again he
lost a good deal Of blood because he would keep
lighting. In tho attack to-day he In the advance
brigade OF the advance DIVISION OF Burnsides Corps
which was in advance OF the army. He ordered to
take mountain path To the left of the old national
road, ieei tho enemy and open the engagement He
found their pockets In the woods received their fire
aud drove them IN. Beyond tho woods he saw tho
rebel line advancing he charged into 1t with u regi-
mental yell, and, utter some fierce fighting, drove
back through another piece OF woods and across
open field beyond Here he ordered his to charge
again; but he had hardly given the command when
bullet struck his lett arm above the elbow. He got OF
arm tightly near the shoulder; but IL WOULDN'T
do; he had to tumble; and he probably
tainted. Anyhow, tho next thing. he knew
shelter. At this he got on his legs again and made
hot Tor them until they came forward. Then they
made II hot again Tor tho enemy. He couldn't stand
up long; he had TO lie down from sheer exhaustion
Hut tho men say no kept giving orders ard calling to
them 10 tight II out The Major Cornly at length as.
sumed the command, ana ordered The Colonel to be-
carried of the field But he came back again, with his
wound half dressed and went on lighting until no
carried OF again
III hopo no got mis- belly full by that Time" said
Rudy
.'Ncver you mud, wife, You go on with that sup.
per II you want to keep family from starving"
Then he turned to Webb.
mo, answered tho latter. .Hc worried and grum-
blod until heard that the OF the brigade had
up and dlsIodgcd the enemy with the bayoDc,
Tnon wc got him into an ambulance ana brought HIM
TO town. See herc,' he continued, .sce what he
wrote IN his memorandum book alter hc fell This !
lust like Rud Hayes Tor all the world while was
down had considerable talk with wounded Confed-
crate lying near me. ! gave him messages for my
VITO and friends in case should not get up. We we're
right Jolly nnd friendly IL was by no means an I'M
pleasant experience -
$50 he Is married, is hep exclaimed Kate Rudy,
ono oil the daughters. Where IL his wilcyp
II suppose she's lett Cincinnati, Ohio, by this
timc answered Webb 1--WE tcicgraphed her from the
battle field. she Is n sister of niue y
.'You will stay here and attend him, OF course"
Captain Rudy said.
IA day or two, yes Ny brother Jim, also sur
geon will be over. But shall have to attend to
good many more. Have you any good local physi.
Clamp
..Yes, indeed; DR.. Baerln was Instantly chorused
t.xsn h,ls, n,,a. ha mr. a
which proceeded TO pile up praises of their lavoro
physician until Webb's BRAIN grew dizzy. DR.. Charles
baer seems 10 have earned aud deserved the en-
conums which are TO this day uttered oi him when
ey er his spoken IN MIddlctown. He was then
about thlrIy.nvc years old. Hts wry, well proper.
toned figure; handsome face and line head, set oil by
auburn hair and washers his pleasant smile, quick,
energetic movements and hearty OF cheer COM
mendcd him everywhere, III addition to his skill ana
SUCCESS the practice OF hts profession His counsel
In the oi Colonel Hayes Of great value, since
II helped prevent an amputaon, AMI his services in