The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1893-02-18
How Blaine Saved
A Soldiers Life.

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Mr.. Blaine
1t is story, in short, of bow Mr..
Blaine saved the life OF soldier boy at
the time he was serving his first term in
Congress. Dramatis persanae: Lieut.. J..
]. Chase. a brave young officer Of the
32d Maine Infantry; Colonel Mack H.
Wentworth, the wartime commander OF
the sd; Solon Chase, OF Chase's Mills.
Maine, and ]. G. Blaine. heard the story
from the lips OF Lieutenant Chase's
father. the Hon. Solon Chase.
HE 1t was who saved the life of my
soldier boy. My Jed was terribly
wounded in front Of Petersburg. 1t was
the battle Of the Crater July 30, 1854.
Colonel Wentworth was wounded by q
ball which passed clear through his body,
and almost at the same instant my boy
was terribly wounded in the head For
q time both men lay side by side In the
crater, only about twelve rods from the
Union lines, raked by rebel batteries,
seemingly cutting off all possible retreat.
But three officers, at the peril OF their
lives, wrapped Jed in blanket and, amid
a storm of shot and shell, bore him to
formed q like service for Colonel Went
worth. My poor Jed was taken to City
Point hospital, where he languished for
weeks, and word came to me that unless
he got home he would surely die. My
wife and were dreadfully anxious
about him, and the result was I scraped
together what money could and has
tened to Washington. But to my digap-
pointment, nay, CONSERVATION. the mill
tary authorities In charge OF the hospital
absolutely refused to let my son be re-
moved. l wandered about In the streets
of Washington q prey to despair. All al
once 1t occurred to me to seek Congress-
man Blaine and see II he couldn't in some
way help me to get Jed removed It
seemed hoping against hope, but, like Il
drowning man / caught at whatever
might be OF service to me. / found Mr.
Blaine and told him my simple story OF
Jeds bravery at Petersburg, his dreadful
wounds and how came on expressly to
Washington to take him home with me
only to be cruelty snubbed by the hospital
powers that be. Your boy shall go
home! exclaimed Mr.. Blaine If going
back to his Maine home is likely to save
his life. depend upon 1t. he shall go. II!
go at once and get permit from secre-
tary Stanton for your sons transfer TO
Maine. The invalid train for the east
leaves at tomorrow forenoon; SO be sure
and be on hand in ample season to join
your son when the ambulance delivers
him at the station
II went away with a lighter heart,
you'd better believe! And you may be
sure 1 was promptly at the station next
day.: Pretty soon an ambulance drove
up and looking into 1t saw my Jed
Then, to my astonishment, who should
arrive but Mr.. Blaine himself, who, as
quickly learned, had come to the spot
expressly to see that Secretary Stanton's
order for Jed's transfer had been carried
out. l was a poor man, then unknown
outside my immediate section, and not
resident in Mr.. Blalne's district even,
and his solicitude in my behalf touched
me, for well knew he had little time to
spare outside Of his official duties. They
were taking my son out OF the ambulance
when young officer In full uniform, who
It appears, was one of the medical staff
at City Point, perceived 1t, and. stepping
up to the ambulance, demanded what al
that meant. He was told; whereupon he
ordered the invalid taken back to the hos
pital. They men in charge looked scarce
and were about to obey when Mr.. Blaine
interfered
I" This man shall not, go back singl
inch. but he shall be put aboard thar
train!" he excltedly exclaimed.
[" 'Ho. ho And who are you sir tina
dares to interfere with my authority
demanded the doughty officer steppln,
up to Mr.. Blaine.
I am from Augusta, Maine. and m,
name is James @. Blaine
"Of all the whiting down-of all tn,
Sinking into ones Eboots-the lnstan.
Transformation which that officer under
went beat the record. He turned away
and without saying another word disap-
peared in the crowd.
Jed was forthwith tenderly borne I ,
the cars. l was In the act OF stepping
aboard, when Mr.. Blaine touched me on
the shoulder and remarked. half jocosely
and half In earnest that he presumed
had left home in such a hurry that
didn't have time to raise much money
for the trip? without then mlstrustlng
his motive said yes. He then bid me
goodbye. wished Jed and me good luck,
and as he grasped my hand at parting
he left within It q soft parcel; then he
darted away, and the first knew he
was being driven rapidly OFF. I looked
at the soft parcel, and It was big roll OF
greenbacks. My boy got well and Is
alive today, thanks to James G, Blaine.
My wife and Jed and viii bless the
memory Of that noble man al long as
we live."-New York Commercial Adver:
tiser.