The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-31
has been paid any salary ii was illegally paid
and must be turned over to the postmaster in
f.e
A REBEL GOOD SAMARITAN.

A Sensational Committee-Room Episode Re.
lated by Congressman Steele.
jules Guthridge. in Chicago News.
The routine proceedings of the House com.
mittee on military affairs were interrupted this
morning by Congressman Steele, of Indiana,
who said: II have here, gentlemen,Ga bill to re-
store to the army Major Chambliss. of Ohio,
with the understanding that he be i'm
mediately thereafter placed on the tetired
list There is very romantic story
connected with my efforts to have this commit
tee pass a similar measure in tine Forty seventh
Congress. With your permission I will relate
the story, which win serve the double purpose
OF an entertaining narrative, and also to illus
srate my reasons for asking your favorable con-
sideration of the case. When the Union
forces were defeated at the battle of
Gaines Mills, Major Chambliss. then
an officer of the Fourth United States Cavalry,
was left on the field for dead. Several hours later
no was discovered by confederate officer, who
dlsmounted from his horse and asked Chambliss
II he could render him any assistance Chambliss
replied that he was severely wounded in num-
Der OF places, but the wound that gave him the
greatest trouble was in his shoulder If the
flow of blood there could be stopped it would
render him more comfortable and enable him to
die at least in less pain. The confederate officer
evidently thinking that Chambliss would soon
breathe his last, bandaged his wounds as well as
he could, and then, going to his horse and un-
strapping his blanket, placed it under his enemys
head for pillow. He next filled his own and
ChamblIsss canteens at creek near by.
and laying them by Chamblisss side rode
away. Aftersremaining in that position for two
long days and nights, Major Chambiss was dis
covered by a friendly negro, who carried him to
Richmond, where, by order of the confederate
authorities, he was removed to the hospital He
was exchanged in the course of time, but his
health was badly shattered. He resigned from
the army and returned to his home at Cincin-
nati where he still resides.
! las said at the outset, gentlemen. I intro
duced a bill in the Forty-seventh Congress SINH
lar in character to the one am now asking you
to consider. related the circumstances sub
staptial,y as have this occasion in order that
my colleagues might understand the justice Of
Major Chamblisss claim, when to my astonish-
mont, Congressman Epson. of Texas who was
also a member of the committee, sprang to his
feet, and exclaimed:
g 'My God, Steele! am the confederate Off
Ger who played the role of the Good Samaritan
in the incident you have just described.
''The effect was electrical. / immediately
sent for Major Chambliss, who was temporarily
stopping In the city. The recognition was mu-
tual. The two heroes of this singular episode
Rugged each other for JOY the one because
his humanity had resulted in the saving
of "a gallant officers life, the other in
gratitude for the preservation of that life. This
remarkable denouement, of course, was not with
out it's influence upon the committee. Tine bill
was favorably reported and passed the House.
but was lost in the Senate. l now ask my col
leagues of the Forty-ninth Congress to deal as
fairly by this deserving gentleman as your pre-
dec@ssors did four yearsago.m
Ikis very probable that the bill will be report
ed by the committee without dissenting vote.