The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1905-11-02
Saved Life by chserfulness.


Brought together by the fate Of bat
tie in 1862 and the subsequent anguish
OF a military prison. Brigadier General
James McLeer. commanding the Sec
ond Brigade. and a soldier whose name
be never heard drifted apart on leav-
ing their surgical ward and have never
seen each other since. The last words
between them contained an expression
OF gratitude TO the Brooklyn nan for
having saved the others life. In the
years that have elapsed. Gen. McLeer
has often wondered who the young
man was whose life he saved by the
mere cheer Of words. The general was
then a young man. barely twenty. lie
has read the "reminiscences OF many
soldiers in the hope % finding out
something u the subsequent life Of
the stranger ne met so dramatically m
the Mount Pleasant hospital. which
was In the suburbs % Washington. u.
c. during the civil wnr So far be has
failed, but perhaps the man may sttn
be living. aud. reading this story. may
make himself known 90 the woun ted
youth who has risen 10 command a
brigade OF the National Guard.
This Incident. one Of many &C. those
stirring days OF young Meier. was re-
lated by the general 10 an Eagle re.
porter. the rolator teliav the story
merely 20 emphasize the value of al
ways locking ON the bright side Of
things. and especially to illustrate the
power In this world OF a caeerul wo.d
in the hour 81 gloom or despair.
4 Was a patient IN ward s Of he
hospital. and after may months Of
treatment for loss OF my eft arm AMI
fracture OF my left leg Ia ths second
battle % Bull Run, / was able 60 move
about with the ain OF a crutch and an
apparatus 10 support my wounded beg
In part.
one morning ! was seated IN The
corridor. opposite my ward when a
young doctor in charge OF the adiolu.
ing ward came along TO make his
morning visit 10 the Woundci under
his care lie stopped 10 spcsf With
me and offered congratulations on my
ability 20 move about, I TAD been for
nearly i've months confined 10 ms bed
while nature Was az WORK tn trltaR 20
repair the damage to ahe lea. The doc
tor invited me 10 Nisit his ward I
asked him whether there vas ans
thing special or Interesting there, aud
be roplied:
Yes. We have the man with sn
arm on. but interrupted him by say
ing, We have a number 10 cas- Naid
with arms and legs on.
'Very true. said be. then. talking
out his watch and looking At u Tor a
moment. he added but this man win
die AZ . O'Clock tonight. NoW sou
may Judge that he was a yesy young
doctor. Tor older men la hts profession
are not able 20 hK 30 closely the time
OF dissolution. however. made up
my mind 10 visit his ward aud see The
man who would pass oycr The lines az
= O'Clock hat night.
Il found the young soliier in a very
serious condition Fits arm had oecn
a~mputated near the shoulder by a field
surgeon. and, as this vaa followed by
q long ride 10 an ambulance aad suhce.
quont neglect there was evidence on
great exhaustion. and. IA fact. ! was
impressed with the idea that the Young
doctor was liberal In giving him until
. O'Clock before passing away. as death
seemed 10 be very near "a him. / rat
down beside his bed aud gently TAX
Ing him by the hand said:
My friend. you are better ! am
glad TO see this change
lie opened his eyes. looked at me
for & moment and then in a whisper
for he vas yery weak, asked whether
thought he was better.
"'Oh. very much better. ! replied
4 fen a little serious about your case
but Il Is all right o and you are
going 10 pull through nicely.
WHY. said he. the doctor said !
would die NJ 3 O'Clock tonight
Nonsense. ! said. you are not
going 10 die. Your doctor Is a practi