Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-02-14
IT CHANGED TWO LIVES.
A Pathetic Incident Of Cen Braggs
Retreat

Tho 18th OF December, 1858, Was
cad day 10 tho confederate army, com.
manded by Gen. Bragg, In winter quar-
tors around Dalton, Tor on that day
thirteen meu who at one time b.
longed TO that army had bssn cen
fenced to be shot.
Some had been caught BY our CAV.
airy fighting against the army they
hnd once belonged TO. some had en-
listed as teamsters In The federal
army, and some were 70 b. ahot foy
INSTRUMENTATION. Among the numb~s
was gallant little Charley Hudson, :
beardless youth, but as brave . soldier
rs 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 . small sta
ton on the railroad, along which w
had reiterated after the battle Of Mis-
sionary ridge, was very old man. He
was great 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 Of first
strongly opposed it, but finally, see
Ing that his son was determined to TO-
he rave his consent with one proviso;
II Gen. Bragg's army retreated beyond
their home he was to return. To this
Charley acceded, never tor o 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.
lie found that everything had been
destroyed and his people destitute 50
to help them to live he enlisted In tbs
federal army as o teamstcr, us he
thought in that capacity he would not
have to fight his old comrades.
That act changed my whole life, and
caused thoras to grow where ! ex-
pected the sweetest roses. was de-
tailed TO command one OF the squads
assigned to inhict the awful penalty
uoon oar former comradesin-arms on
that fatal 18th Of December. We
were ordered to be at tho place Of exc
cation promptly at twelve o'clock
The whole army had been ordered
out to witness the shooting Of these
men, SO, after placing my detail In
front of No 4, | turned it over to the
sergeant and Joined the group Of Of
icefs 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 ore to execute to-
day?'
No" replied; "all ! can tell is
that was assigned to No. 4, Can you
tell2' | asked.
yes" ho answered. mo. 4 Is poor
Charley Hodson.'
I felt my legs giving way and !
should have fallen had be not caught
me. Instantly ! recovered; then, for
the first time in many years, tears
came to my eyes and rolled down my
cheek.
II 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 50 kind, so gentle and 30 brave.
Capt. c., OF the ----- Tennessee
regiment, came up to me and asked
what the bal news was told him
and, like the gallant fellow that he
was, he offered to exchange places,
though he knew 1t 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 up
preaching.
We ran hurriedly 10 our details.
told the sergcants Of the change, and
then exchanged places
In front of each squad stood o stake
and coffin, and as the line OPP
preached each man was halted before
coffin
Just before they were TO be bound
and blndfolded heard a voice say,
kiss Eugenia md my father for me,
lieutenant, and tell them that the last
a