Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1901-10-24

6cer anoeared whose conduct and CONVEX
sation were quite unlike that of General
jackson and the North Carolina captain.
He reviled me with bitter words, called me
a s'nigEer thief" etc. / had a revolver
and a short sword under my rubber blan-
ket on which lay, and in my rage l at
tempted 20 get at the revolver, intending
TO shoot the fellow, but he had his eyes on
me and Immediately shouted: "Disarm
that man." The soldiers, Of course obeyed,
although with a show Of reluctance, and
an could do was 10 protest and also vol
unteer the remark In most indignant
tone that I'm my opinion nothing but a
d-n dirty coward would insult and rob a
wounded prisoner. hated to part with
the sword as Il was n present TO me
from Captain Louis Miller.
Il is a long time since this happened and
time softens our animosities, and I don't
know that would harm him IL I should
meet him now, but for many years after
the affair believe would have shot him
on sight II he had been in church.
sam lay there on the ground until the
evening of the 18th, which was Thursday,
when the rebels carried him short dis
lance TO a little barn surrounded by straw
stacks. where he lay another night like
a warrior taking his rest with his mar
tial cloak around him. Martial cloak
sounds a little more like the chivalric
davs when officers wore such garments,
but as a cold fact Sans martial cloak
consisted Of a badly crumpled rubber
blanket He was not alone. for there were
more than 100 other prisoners in the hands
OF the rebels whom IL was their intention
to parole. but didn't for several reasons.
Didn't have time anyway, as they had
urgent business south of the Potomac.
Next morning. the 18th, Sam and three
others Of the wounded were conveyed in
en- ambulance to the Hoffman barn. sam
was Obliged to sleep on the ground an
other night however. as there were hum
dreds OF others awaiting treatment by the
surgeon. Next day, Sunday, DR.. Pugsley
amputated the injured leg. In describing
this Sam Indignantly remarked that he
didn't attend church that day. IL Is nee
essary in order TO preserve the chain OF
this somewhat complex narrative TO go
back to the day Of the great battle. At the
tine Sergeant Andrews, Of the Georgia
regulars visited Sam in his bivouac at the
foot of the friendly oak he was not aware
that he was protecting and caring for the
very man he had coolly and deliberately
essayed to XIII few hours before. In a
communication to Sergeant Bloomer Ser
geant Andrews says: Read the newspa-
per clippings and note the date OF this
letter, September 18th. Just thirty-nine
years ago today we met at Sharpsburg,
civil war. You gave US a warm recep-
ton for an early morning call. You should
have been neighbOrly and let us get in
pOsitiOn-at least allowed US TO get over
the fence in a dignified way. When We
tumbled over that fence we had not had
anything to eat in nearly three days. so
you see we were hungry and mad, too
Ny first shot was aimed at color bear
er's breast. but my gun snapped.
I have always believed that you were
the man, but will leave that for you TO
decide.
How bad wanted to see the colors fall,
and how small felt when my gun missed
fire. But fate favored you and thank
God Il was not my bullet that struck you.
We were fighting for what each one OF US
believed to be right At the same time
the north dubbed US. rebels and traitors
IF you had been in my shoes would you
have turned your gun on your own ire
side and those you held dear? No. you
we're too brave a man for that; you would
have fought for home and kindred. SO