Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1903-10-01
THE BOOMING CANNON
REClTALS OF CAMP AND BAT
TILE INCIDENTS.
Survivors Of the Rebellion Relate
Many Amusing and Startling Incl
dents of Marches, Camp Life, ForaR-

At the recent Confederate reunion in
New Orleans the hearts of the old
soldiers were sadd ned by the state
mcnt Of their comradc, Gen. John b.
Gordon, that his health was failing
and that he was about to wind up his
career.
The most wonderful part of it all is
that he has survived until this day 1t
Is almost miraculous that he should
have passed through such an ordeal
during the war between the States
and come out with his life. In Scrib-
ner's Magazine Gen. Gordon has an
article IN "Antietam and Chancellors-
vllle," in which he recalls the notable
fact that in the former battle he was
wounded no less than five times.
Gen. Gordon's troops had the most
advanced position on that part of the
field where they were stationed, and
there was no supporting line behind
them. He soon saw that almost deS-
perate attempt would be made by
the FedeTals to break the line at that
point, and 1t was to be through sheer
force, 1t was Gen Gordons bus MSS
to prevent tbs, AID 50 he gave orders
that his men were not to fire until he
should give the signal. The Federals
came forward with unloaded guns,
their purpose being to charge with
bayonets and through their supt rlor
numbers break through. In spite OF
the impotence of his men, Cen Cor
don waited until "they should S q The
whites of their enemies eyes When
The Federais were almost upon him he
ordered his men TO fire, ana their rifles
Iamed and reared in the face OF the
Yankees like a binding b'aze Of light
ming, accompanied by the quick and
deadly thundeIbUlt. 1t was impossible
or any body of men to withstand th,s
lire, and the FCderals withdrew, but
only to renew the attack again and
again, in the same way, and thus the
battle waged furiously until sun lOwn.
During this engagement Gen. Cor.
twice through the leg, once through
The arm, once through the shoulder,
and finally through the face In spite
Of four wounds, from all Of which he
was suffering and bleeding, he held
his position at the front, giving his
commands and rallying his men. At
the last shot, however, he fell forward
and lay unconscious with his face in
his cap, and he thinks that he would
have been smothered by the bloed
from this last wound "but for the act
Of some Yankee, who, ms II to save
my life, had at previous hour dur
ing the battle shot a hole through my
cap, as If to let the blood out" He
was borne to the rear in an uncon-
sclous condition and the surgeon de-
SPARED of his life. But Gen. Cor.
don declared that he would not die
and a little later, when his devoted
wife arrived, he greeted her in ar
afreCtiOnate, jocukr way and assured
her that he would get well. Thanks
to her faithful watching and nursing
he did get we'll and was. by and by
after seven months, restored to his
command.
1t Is no wonder that Gordan's mu
said and believed that he had
charmed life" 1t is inconceivabl,
that a man should have been sho
five times during a single engagement
and survived the shock; it is equal!
remarkable that man who suffered
30 terribly from the enemies bulle
should have preserved his life ant
lived to good old aae.-Riehmont
Times Dispatch.