The Russellville Democrat., 1890-03-13
0oRDoN.s CHARMED LIFE.
The Miraculous Escape From Death .
 Georrla's Soldier Governor.


 The Miraculous Escape From Death of
 GeorRla's Soldier Governor.
 For the first two years of the war the life of General Gordon appeared to be protected by some omnipotent power. In leading his men he was constantly exposed, and though others fell on every side of him he remained uninjured. He was bruised many times, but never once was drop Of his blood spilled His clothes on several occasions wre pierced and rent by bullets, his hat was twice lift from his head and his canteen was shot from his side without his being hurt. Finally a superstituNon grew among the men that their lezder bore 2 charmed life. And when the opening shot at the battle of Stlarpsburg was fired it was asserted thzt the bullet had never been molded tat would break the skin of Gordon. i;efore the close of the great fF-aAss. however, not only one but many bullets had found their billets in his body, and the Sixth Alabama Regiment, which he then commanded, mourned bitterly because they believed that their leader, who knew not what fear meant, was beyond all hope. In that one fight General Gordon had more narrow escapes than almost any other man who survived through the great four years struggle.
 At the beginning of the engagement shell burst immediately in front of him, and large piece struck him fairly in the chest. A bad bruise was infict- cd; but Gordon never showed that he felt the pain of it and continued at the head of his men. Shortly after the ex- plosion of the shell q bullet passed through the f1eshy part of his right leg, but still he made no moan. A handkcr- chief tied about the limb absorbed the blood and served to set an example of endurance to the men. One hour later ball passed through the same leg, be- tween the leaders and the knee joint; another bandage was applied, and still the commander continued at his post. Only half an hour later and the left arm, raised to emphasize an order, fell use less, ball having passed through it., severing in it's passage every tendon and also small artery. The constant loss of blood made him weak, but the mighty will conquered pain, and all requests to retire from the fight were refused with scorn. Fifteen minutes later and a Mimic ball tore through his left shoul- der, breaking in two and leaving half the lead buried in the bone. Tottering and scarcely able to stand, Gordon turn ed to rally his men, and as he did so the final wound was inflicted. Square in the left cheek the bullet struck, coming out under the ear. At last the wonderful physi- cal energy gave way, and the dauntless commander fell forward, with his muti- lated face buried in his cap, and so ho would have died, drowned by the blood that flowed so freely for his country, but for bullet hole which had pierced his cap unnoticed, and allowed the red fluid to escape. How long General Gondon lay there unconscious he never knew, but the sensations he experienced, as he himself describes them, must have been very terrible. He says he felt that a six-pound shot had carried away his head. He argued with himself that if his head was gone he could no longer think, as the brain must have been de- stroyed. Then he concluded that he was dead, and it was only the immaterial part of the man still lowering over the useless clay that was thinking; fin- ally he decided that if he were alive he could move his legs. but if he were dead he had no legs. With great effort he did move his limbs and, pierced as they were, he drew them almost to his chest. The effort sent the little blood remain ing in his body to the brain, and he re- covered consciousness only to faint again When he next came to himself he was on litter being taken to the rear. For seven months General Cor don remained away from his command. At the end of that time, though his wounds were only partially healed, he returned to duty as Brigadicr General.
 He passed through several other des- perate conflicts without injury, and was not wounded again until at the battle of Shepherdstown, in 1863, bullet struck him in the head just above the hair and inflicted bad wound.
 On the 25th of March, 1865, the battle of Steadman was fought, and General Gordon, as corns commander, received his last wound, a ball piercing his right leg.
 Among bis relics General Gordon keeps an iron-bound pocket-boolx which once saved his life. Be carried it in his pocket ancl ball struck it and bent it double. Fad it not been for the pocket book tEe missile would have torn through the hip bone and would almost surely have caused ddeath.-Atlanta Con stitution.