The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-09-02
CAPTAIN WRIGHT'S STORY.
General Grants Great Kindness to a
Wounded Confederate.
T. o. Moore, in Blue and Gray,

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The following story, recently related to
me by Capt. Ben T. Wright, will. L trust,
prove interesting to all old soldiers, North
and South, and to all Americans who re-
soldier, U. S. Grant. 1 relate it as it was
told me:
eighth Alabama Volunteers, infantry regi-
ment, at the battle of Missionary Ridge.
Our regiment was in line near some old
log houses, near General Bragg's head
quarters. The first day of the battle we
did some hard fighting and lost heavily in
trying to hold this part of the line. / was
with ny men. encouraging and urging
them to hold the line and drive the enemy
back. when a MIME ball cut my sword
near my hip bone. / fell and was unable
to get up. About this time the federals
charged with such fury that our boys gave
way and the two lines went sweeping over
II don't remember how long l lay on the
ground. / saw a lot of horsemen approach
of them was a staff officer, and he proved
to be a meIiber of General Grants staff.
dismounted, and came TO me and asked il
he could do anything for me. l told him
no. He saw j was badly hurt. and told
an orderly to bring him some water. He
handed him a canteen. He took a flask
from his pocket, poured some whisky into
a cup and told me to drink 1t. holding me
up while l did so. He then went and
mounted his horse.
about this time General Grant rode UP,
a short distance from where 1 still lay on
the ground. He inquired of the first officer
who l was. The staff officer replied: 1t is
a rebel officer, and he is badly hurt Gen.
Grant then got down and came to me and
wanted TO know my condition, inquired
He soon learned that / was seriously, II
not MORALLY, wounded. whereupon he called
his staff surgeon and had him examine me.
The General then wrote something and
handed il to his orderly, who took 1t and
rode off. Soon some federal soldiers came
with a litter, and General Grant told them
to take me down the mountain to the am
bulance train and thence TO the hospital at
81 was placed on a litter and carried down
the mountain side, more than half a mile.
over as rough a road as you ever saw, and,
with all the care the men used TO keep from
hurting me, / suffered a great deal, and by
the time L reached the ambulance / was
about ready to pass in my check. The am
bulance soon conveyed me TO the hospital,
where written instructions from General
Grant we're handed the surgeon in charge,
stating that / was to have special atten-
ton.
"A DR.. Cook from Indiana. / think. took
me in charge, and for nine days and nights
he stayed by me and never let me want for
anything. 1t was a close shave. but | made
twice and sat some time by my bedside,
and talked kindly and friendly TO me about
war. I never can forget him for his kind
ness to me. DR.. Cook was like a brother to
me-God bless him.-and 1 would like 50
much to know If he is alive. If so 1 want
to write him and thank him for saving my
life. and If he Is alive and will come to
Comanche the latch string will hang on the
outside of the door. After l had recovered
enough TO be moved / was sent North with
other prisoners. Went TO Camp Chase; from
there to Fort Delaware. Was in prison
twenty-five months. and there when the
war ended. / will always have a kind feel
ing for General Grant. Have never recov-
cred from wound"