The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1897-09-29
WAR "REMINISCENCES.
AHELPLEss HERO.

one or the saddest Chnpters of the.
A few days ago DR.. Charles d'Al7 |
yigney, of Atlanta, found among the I
private papers of his father, the late
DIR. Noel d'Alvigney, a fas assous surgeon
of the war period, the following docu-
ment written in faded ink:
Atlanta, Ga, Oct. I. 1S64,-To All uniteo
states Authorities Whom 1t May Concern:
Having been wounded at Jackson, MISS
the 14th day of May, 1868, and having falen
into the hands of the enemy and brought
nv them to this place, the 21st day of June,
1863, 1 became acquainted With DR.. Noel
d'Alyigney, q resident of Atlanta, who mas
been my attending surgeon since Septem-
her 13, 1863 He has done everything IN his |
power to alleviate the 5ufferings OF the
wounded federal prisoners of war who were
brought here from time TO time, as pri7
vate surgeon without pay or prott IN any
way. AS he was surgeon belonging to the
confederate service, what he did was IN the
interests of humanity He VIII fulnll any
agreement that he enters into. Anything
YOU can do for him will be worthily be-
slowed and will be favor to me- Yours
respectfully,
Captain Seventeenth Iowa V. l."
Theconfederate surgeons son handed
this paper to me the other day.
"That poor fellow" he said, twas very
grateful to my father, and he wrote
this letter hoping that it might be OF
some service to the members OF our
family, who were in bad fix after the
siege of Atlanta"
johnson, of Iowa?" exclaimed. "
remember the man. His case was Pc
culiarly sad one.'
And then told d'Alvigney the story
of the unfortunate prisoner. Its worth
repeating here, because the hero of it
won the sympathy and regard OF two
armies and turned his foemen'into low
ing friends.
When the gallant young captain was
brought to an atlanta military hospl
tai in the spring of 1868 the surgeons
soon discovered that his injuries were
of very serious nature.
The prisoner had been wounded IL
his spine; and he was compelled to re
main, in bed or rest in a reclining chair
Month after month rolled by, and
became evident that he would neve
recover. He could not be sent to pris
on. That would have been barbarou'
He could not receive proper attentio
in the crowded hospital, and he coul
not be exchanged at that time.
The ladies wrote his letters for hill
and interested themselves in seein
that they were sent through the line
The prisoners mother in far-off low
was kept duly advised Of her sons COZ
dition, and she succeeded in persua'
ing high officials in both armies to
low her to enter the confederacy.
Mrs. johnson reached Atlanta in Il
summer of 1868. She rented cottai
and the authorities permitted her
take the captain from the hospital
order to give him the careful nursil
which he needed so much.
A year passed, and the siege OF
lanta commenced in earnest.
johnson was still confined to his bt
and in his helpless condition it was
great trial to worry through the
days and nights, with rain OF fedel
shell falling around him.
For IS months or more the helpl'
man lay on his couch of pain, will
the lines of the enemy. Without a M
mur he accepted his fate and few e
looked upon his pale and emaciated Il
and form without wiping away tear
The siege was drawing to its cl
when DIR. d'Alvigney and several
GERS called one evening to see the
tient.
"To-morrow," said the doctor, :.
will be in the hands of your friends.
"What do you mean?" asked the
tain.
81 mean," was the answer, that
can hold Atlanta no longer. Tom
row Sherman's troops will enter
city"
johnson clasped his thin, white ha
together in his excitement, and his
flashed with pleasure.
In another moment sad look CT
over his face. :.
"And you, my friends-what will
come of you?"-he asked.
'sWe are going to leave tonight
piled the doctor, "and we are her
bid you farewell, with the hope