The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1883-02-19
THE STORY OF A SOLDIER.
Two Brave Veterans Who Reached a
Happy Climax in the Drama
of Life.
How One Saved Ithe Others Life-Genera
Fitzhugh Lee Entertained
at Dinner.

fighting that preceded the surrender at APP
pomattox the cavalry on both sides were very
actively employed. While directing some
movements of his command at the front,
Major General Fitzhugh Lee and his staff
were often exposed to heavy fire. One of the
last shots fired found its way into the breast of
Captain Charles Minnegerode, of General
Lees staff. Captain Minnegerode fell from
his horse apparently dead.
There was no time to care for his body, but
Fitzhugh Lee, dismounting, pinned on his
breast the following note:
"This is the body of Captain Charles Min
negerode, OF General Fitzhugh Lees staff
Whoever finds it will confer great favor by
seeing that it is properly cared for, and send
information to his father at Richmond
"FITZHUGH LEE"
The lines of combat shifted, and presently
New York regiment passed over the ground.
The surgeon noticed the body OF Confed-
crate officer, and saw the note, and also that
the man was not dead.
Taking up the body in his arms, the senior
| surgeon, who was powerfully built man, car
ried it about third OF a mile to the field
hospital. Here he gave his young charge
special attention and noted with satisfaction
a gradual improvement. Captain Minnege-
rode recovered, and after the war went to
New Orleans. The surgeon returned to New
York and renewed the practice Of medicine at
Poughkeepsie.
On Thursday evening General Lee, now an
officer of the Virginia volunteers National
Guard), accompanied by a party of officers
of the Thirteenth, was in box at the
Casino Witnessing the performance OF
the Queens Lace Handkerchief" There
were present in General Lees box, Colonel
Austin, of the Thirteenth New York; Colonel
Weertenbacker, of the Third Virginia; Colonel
John A. McCaull, Quartermaster Alderman,
of the Thirteenth, and Captain Minnegerode,
who being on visit to New York,
HAD BEEN INVITED
to accompany his old commander to the thea
ter An usher entered and told the Captain
that a gentleman wished to speak with him.
The gentleman came and Captain Minnege-
rode went to the rear of the box to meet
him.
"You do not remember me?" said the
stranger.
"There is something about your face, sir,
that tells me | do know YOU" replied the
Captain.
"You were left for dead on the field of APP
pomattox, and''-
eyes, yes" hurriedly broke in Mime
gerode, light of recognition stealing over his
expressive face.
81 am DR.. Carter"
my God, sir, you are the man who saved
my life" The two men fairly Rugged each
other for a moment, and then the Captain,
turning to General Lee, said: General, this
gentleman saved my life, undoubtedly" AS
General Lee greeted the doctor, the latter
said, smilingly: "Yes, sir, took the bullet
out" "And here is the bullet" said Mime
gerode, taking it out of his pocket and holding
it up between his thumb and forefnger for a
few moments. The rich scene and pretty
women on the stage were forgotten and the
little group of officers gazed instead on the two
characters who had Just reached a happy
climax in the drama of life.
GENERAL LEE ENTERTAINED.
The Thirteenth Regiment of Brooklyn en-
tertained General Fitzhugh Lee at dinner.
His health was proposed. As the rotund form
and CHEEKY face of General Fitzhugh Lee
arose at the head of the table to respond there
was an unanimous clinking of glasses and a
rousing cheer, such as soldiers only can give.
General Lee said that he recollected hear
ing of an accident at Malvern Hill, where
the Confederate troops were ordered to
charge the bastion, fringed with Northern
foes. Colonel Vance, pointing with his
sword to the front and turning toward the
fleeing crowd in the rear. said:
go it, old Molly Cotton. If didn't have
a reputation to save I'd join you in run, too"
When some of the boys went home on parole
at the close of the war, one sturdy old Con-
federate farmer refused to believe that Gen
eral Lee had surrendered, and got over it by
saying: "Oh, it's that-Fitzhugh Lee who
has surrendered;
OLD GENERAL LEE NEVER SURRKNDERS."
"Leaving joking aside" said the General,
'the meeting of the soldiers of the two sec
tons had far more significant meaning than
mere friendship. 1t meant that all sections
of the land were united, happy, prosperous
and peaceful, and that hereafter the sections
were to walk side by side to the music of the
Union. The days of abuse had passed, and
henceforth they could declare that the
United States are bounded on the north by ice
and on the south by bananas, and anybody or
nations that attempt to force an entrance will
surely slip up. There was no longer any Sec
ton in this land-North or South, East or
West All were Americans with a common
| flag, a common county. common destiny
He saw the dawn OF that paternity which
must spread until it embraces all States, and
thus shall the great des iny of this Repub-
lie be fulfilled. Time is a great healer