The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-06-07
doRDoN.s "cHARMED LIFE"

| AZ the recent Confedernte reunion In
| lScw Orleans the hearts of the old soldiers
were saddened by the statement OF their
| cornrade. General John B. Gordon. that
1 his health was failing and that he was
| nbou, to wind UP his career.
The wonderful part OF II all Is that
he has survived until this day. 1t Is al
most miraculous that he should have
passed through such an ordeal during
the war between the States and come out
with his life IN the June number Of
Scrbner's Magazine. General Gordon has
nm article on s"Antietam and Chancellors-
ville," In which he recalls the notable
fact that in the former battle lie was
wounded no less than i've times.
General Gordon's troops held 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 a most desperate at.
tempt would be made by the Federals
to break the line at that point and that
1t was to be through sheer force 1t was
General Gordon's business to prevent
this, and SO he gave orders that his men
were not to fire until he should give the
signal The Tederals came forward with
unloaded guns, their purpose being to
charge with bayonets. and through their
superior numbers break through. In spite
Of the impatience Of his men General
Gordon waited until ''they should See the
whites OF the enemies eyes" When the
Tederals were almost upon him he order
ed his men to fire, and their rifles famed
and roared in the face Of the Yankees
like binding blaze Of lightning. accom-
companied by the quick and deadly thun-
derbolt." It was impossible for any body
of men to withstand this fire and the
Tederals withdrew. but only to renew
the attack again and again in the same
way, and thus the battle waged furiously
until shutdown.
During this engagement General Gordon
was shot FIVE different times, twice
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 blood
from this last wound ''but for the act Of
some Yankee, who, as II to save my
life, had at previous hour during the bat
tie shot hole through my cap, as II to
lot tho blood out" He was borne to
tho rear in an unconscious condition, and
the surgeon despaired Of his life. But
General Gordon declared that he would
not die. and little later when his do
voted wife arrived he greeted her In an
affectionate. jocular way and assured
her that he would get vol. 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 Gordon's men said
and believed that he had charmed
life" 1t Is Uncomfortable that man
should have been shot five times during
single engagement and survived the
shock; 1t Is equally remarkable that
man who suffered 80 terribly from the
enemies bullets should have preserved
his life and lived to good old age.