The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1894-10-05
1T CHANGED TWO LIVES.
A Pathetic Incident of Gen. Bragg's
Retreat.

A Pathetic Incident Of Gen. Bragg's
| Retreat.
The 18th of December. 1858, was a
sad day to the confederate army. COM
| manded by Gen. Bragg, in winter quar-
| tiers around Dalton, for ON that day
| thirteen men who at one time be-
longed to that army had been SEN
| 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 as transfers in the federal
army, and some were to be shot for
INSTRUMENTATION. Among the number
was gallant little Charley Hudson, q
beardless youth, but as brave soldier
as 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 it was often
said that he bore . charmed life.
His father, who lived at a small sta
ton on the railroad, along which we
had retreated after the battle Of Mis-
sionary ridge, was very old man. He
was great union man, with no sym
patty 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 it, but finally, see
ing that his son was determined to 60,
he gave his consent with one proviso:
If Gen. Bragg's army reiterated beyond
their home he was to return. To this
Charley acceded, never for a 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 as q teamster, as he
thought in that capacity he would not
have to fight his old comrades.
That act changed my whole life, and
caused thorns to grow where l ex-
pected the sweetest roses. was de-
tailed to command one of the squads
assigned to infict 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
cution promptly at twelve o'clock.
The whole army had been ordered
out to witness the shooting of these
men, 80, after placing my detail in
front Of No. 4, turned it over to the
sergeant and Joined the group of Of
ficers who were standing in the rear
of the squads discussing the painful
duty each had to perform.
Hearing my name called, l turned
and was called one side by brother
officer, who said: "Do you know, lieu
tenant, whom you are to execute to-
day?"
mo" 1 replied; ''all I can tell is
that was assigned to No. A. Can you
tellP" asked.
Eyes" he answered. mo. is poor
Charley Hodson."
I felt my legs giving way and /
should have fallen had he not caught
me. Instantly 1 recovered; then, for
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 had
learned to love the boy as brother;
he was so kind, so gentle and SO brave.
Capt c., of the - Tennessee
regiment, came up to me and asked
what the bad news was. 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 look
ing up saw the condemned men APP
preaching.
We ran hurriedly to our details,
told tn. sergeants of the change, and
then exchanged places
In front of each squad stood stake |
and a coffin, and as the line APP |
each man was halted before
q coffin.
just before they were 70 be bound