The National tribune., 1906-11-29
WHO WAS THIS OFFICER?
Confederate Anxious to Thank I'll
Benefactor.

4 Confederate Anxious to Thank His
Benefactor.
Editor National Tribune: Will You
please publish the following statement
Of n Confederate wounded soldier, in
order TO find an officer to whom he owes
4 great debt of kindness. whom he new
ar expects to repay, only by publishing
he kind act to the world. He may, II
living, remember the circumstance.
1t was at the battle of Chancellors-
vile, on Sunday morning, 1 was pain
'ully wounded in the head and made q
prisoner, while still inSensible. l was
aiken to the field hospital where my
wound was carefully dressed by the
Surgeon. l asked him later if ] would
recover, and he replied that Il prob
ably would, but as far as the Confed-
sracy was concerned l was dead as --
then" AS he predicted, the wound
healed but it ended my military life.
On Sunday afternoon an officer came
around and gathered the Confederates
together to convey us elsewhere. Be
fore starting the officer came to me,
and told me to walk along with him,
which l did. When we reached our des-
tination he had the Surgeon redress
my wound. After that was done he
placed me near pine tree, and told me
% wait there. He soon returned, bring
ing such a supper as he could get, and
apologiZed for its insufficiency. After
doing this he secured blanket or so
and ] made my bed there. He told me
ne was going back to the front, but
would come back in the morning to see
ne. / very naturally concluded that
ne would never again think of a beard
less Confederate boy, but to my great
surprise the next morning he was back
and gave me some milk punch, but the
wound prevented my drinking ii. He
then brought me my breakfast. After
ne had done all this he told me how to
conduct myself after leaving the army
and getting among citizen soldiers. !
vas then taken to Washington. Such
friendship as shown to me by him can
never be forgotten by man with any
Eoul. I have never heard of that kind
Ohio, but did not learn his rank or
name or regiment. He was very stout
built, would weight nearly 200 pounds.
md had a smooth face. as I remember
If living l would like to hear from him.
90 as to thank him for his great kind
ness, which will never fade from nv
memory. I often think of the various
acts of kindness bestowed by other SOL
1iers; / was the recipient Of one such
On my way to Washington, and which
has always convinced me that mems
hearts are not made Of marble, but
many are tender. warm and full of the
milk of human kindness and brotherly
love. Yours very truly-W. T. Atkins,
20. K, Sd Ala, c. S. A, Stonewall jack
sons Command, Jefferson, Tex.
Mr.. Editor: After hearing my friend,
Mr.. Atkins, relate the above reminis-
cence of experience in battle and show
ing me the terrible scar, and also not
ing with what pathos of voice he re-
called the whole matter, l suggested
hat the surest way to learn the name Of
mis- kind benefactor was to have the
story published in The National Trib>
nne: that, in my judgment, that officer
If still living, would be subscriber and
reader of our invaluable paper. The
whole of the Southern States have
scores of men who frequently speak OF
somewhat similar kindnesses from those
who wore the blue uniform. Would Il
not be WELL comrades, to recall less of
the bitterness of the past and speak
more of generous acts? When patience
has her perfect work there shall be
only the cardinal points of the COM
pass left our great country, without the
magnetic disturbances of sectional
questions. Yours for the cementing of
fraternal union of all American SOL
diers, North and South.-Horace
Welch, Commander, Post SO, Jefferson,