The Van Buren press., 1894-09-22
IT CHANGED TWO LIVES.

IT CHANGED TWO LIVES.
A Pathetic Incident OF Gen. Braggs
Retreat.
Tho 18th Of December, 1858, was .
ead day to the confederate army. COM
manded by Gen. Bragg, In winter quar-
ters around Dalton, for on that day
thirteen men who ut one time be-
longed to that army had been sem
fenced to be shot.
Some had been caught by our cav
airy fighting against the army they
had once belonged to, some had en-
listed ~ teamsters in the federal
army, and some were to be shot for
insubordination. Among the number
was gallant little Charley Hudson, o
beardless youth, but as brave soldier
- ever went to the front. Wherever
the bullets few thickest Charley was
to be found, and In the charge ON some
battery he always led; SO 1t was often
ssid that he bore charmed life.
His father, who lived at small sta
tion on the railroad, along which we
had retreated after the battle Of Mis-
sionary ridge, was very old man. He
was groat union man, with no SYM
pathy for the southern cause.
The subject Of Charley's joining the
confederate army had often been dis
cussed. The old gentleman At first
strongly opposed 1t, but finally, see-
ing that his son was determined to 60,
he gave his consent with one proviso:
II Gen. Bragg army retreated beyond
their home he was to return. To this
Charley scceded, never for . moment
dreaming that such . thing would
happen. But the army did leave his
home behind, and, true to the VOW he
had made to his father, he returned
home.
He found that everything had been
destroyed and his people destitute; so
to help them to live he enlisted in the
federal army - . teamster, as he
thought In that capacity he would not
have to hght his old comrades.
That act changed my whole life, and
caused thorns to grow where / ex-
pected the sweetest roses. was de-
tailed to command one of the squads
assigned TO inflict the awful penalty
upon our former comrades-in-arms on
that fatal 18th OF December. We
were ordered to be at the place of exc
eution promptly at twelve o'clock.
The whole army had been ordered
ont to witness the shooting of these
mon. 90, after placing my detail in
front Of No. 4, ] turned it over to the
sergeant and Joined the group Of Of
hcers who were standing in the rear
Of the squads discussing the painful
duty each had to perform.
Hearing my name called, turned
and was called one side by . brother
officer, who said: do you know, lieu
tenant, whom you are to execute to-
day?"
"No," l replied; all l can tell Is
that was assigned to No. A. Can you
tell?" asked.
"Yes," he answered. mo. 4 is poor
Charley Hodson."
felt my legs giving way and ]
should have fallen had he not caught
me. Instantly recovered; then, fol
the first time in many years, tears
came to my eyes and rolled down my
cheek.
It was appalling to give the com
mand that would end the life Of my
comrade and best friend, for l had
learned to love the boy as brother;
he was 20 kind, 90 gentle and so brave.
Capt. c., Of the - Tennessee
regiment came up to me and asked
what the bad news was. l told him
and, like the gallant fellow that he
was, he offered TO exchange places,
though he knew It might cost him his
commission. We had no time to think,
for at that moment we heard the
strains Of the dead march and looa
ing up saw the condemned men ap-
preaching.
We ran hurriedly to our details,
told the sergeants Of the change, and
then exchanged places.
In front OF each squad stood stake
and . coffin, and as the line ap-
prosched each man was halted before
, coffin.
just before they were to be bound
and blindfolded heard . voice say:
kiss Eugenia and my father for me,
lieutenant, and tell them that the last
throb of this heart was an echo Of my
love for them
"Great Godl' exclaimed aloud. Il
didn't know 1t was you. Paul"
The next moment my mind had gone
back to little more than q year be-
fore, when our army had been In Ten
nessee and Kentucky.
On that campaign had met and
loved the most beautiful woman had
ever seen. She was perfect in every
way. A cultured min |, tender heart,
= loving disposition, and . form as
perfect as was ever given to woman.
She had soft, dreamy black eyes, and,
when excited. they were brighter than
the dewdrop on the rose.
visited her home often and was al
ways welcomed with sunny smile;
but time passed rapidly and soon orders
came Tor us 10 prepare TO marcn-the
very thing dreaded.
] left camp and went 70 pay my last
visit to her with heavy heart.
II sitting in the shadow Of a large ar
.1r vitm tree, with her hands in mine,
4 told her Of my love. twas needless,
though, for me to have spoken one
word Of that love, for she knew it long
before