Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-10-07
WAR "REMINISCENCES.
A HELPLESS HERO.
One OF The saddest Chapters of the
War.

49,
War.
A few days ago Dr. Charles dAl-
vigney, of Atlanta, found among the
private papers of his father, the late
DIR. Noel d'Alvigney, famous surgeon
of the war period, the following docu-
ment written in faded ink:
ATLANTA, Ca, Oct /, 1S6i.-To All United
States Authorities Whom 1T May Concern:
Having been wounded at Jackson, MISS
the 14th day of May, 1868, and having fallen
into the hands of the enemy and brought
by them to this place. the 2lst day or June,
1868, / became acquainted with DR., Noel
d'Alvlgney, resident of Atlanta, who has
been my attending surgeon since Septem-
Der 10, 1863 He has done everything in his
power to alleviate the suiferings of the
wounded federal prisoners of war who were
brought here from time to time, as pri-
vate surgeon, without pay or profit In any
way As he was surgeon belonging to the
confederate service, what he did was in the
interests Of humanity. He will fulfill 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,
CHARLES p. JOHNSON,
AdDlilll DSNNHlNNlulll lON3 " L.
Theconfederate surgeons sonhanded
this paper to Inc The other day.
"That poor fellow" he said, was 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. 81
remember the man. His case was pc
culiarly sad one"
And then tod d'Alvigney the story
of the unfortunate prisoner. tits 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 hospi-
tai in the spring of 1863 the surgeons
soon discovered that his injuries were
of a very serious nature.
The prisoner had been wounded in
his spine, and he was compelled to re-
main in bed or rest in a reclining chair
Month after month rolled by, and it
became evident that he would never
recover. He could not be sent to pris-
on. That would have been barbarous.
He could not receive proper attention
in the crowded hospital, and he could
not be exchanged at that time.
The ladies wrote his letters for him
and interested themselves in seeing
that they were sent through the lines
The prisoners mother in far-off Iowa
was kept duly advised of her sons con-
dition, and she succeeded in persuad-
ing high officials in both armies to al
low her to enter the confederacy.
Mrs. Johnson reached Atlanta in the
summer of 1863 She rented a cottage
and the authorities permitted her to
take the captain from the hospital in
order to give him the careful nursing
which he needed so much.
A year passed, and the siege of At
lanta commenced in earnest.
Johnson was still confined to his bed,
and in his helpless condition it was Il
great trial to worry through the hot
days and nights, with rain Of federal
shell falling around him.
For IS months or more the helpless
man lay on his couch of pain, within
the lines of the enemy. Without amur-
muir he accepted his fate and few ever
looked upon his pale and emaciated face
and form without wiping away tear.
The siege was drawing to its close
when DR.. d'Alvigney and several Off
GERS called one evening to see the pa
tient.
"To-morrow," said the doctor, "you
will be in the hands of your friends"
"What do you mean?" asked the cap
tain.
81 mean," was the answer, chat we
can hold Atlanta no longer. To-mor-
row Sherman's troops will enter the
city"
johnson clasped his thin, white hands
together in his excitement, and his eyes
flashed with pleasure.
In another moment sad look came
over his face.
"And you, my friends-what will be-
come of you?'-he asked.
"We are going to leave tonight" re-
piled the doctor, "and we are here tc
bid you farewell, with the hope that