New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-10-17
NEVER. FELT RIGHT TILL HE BEGAN TO PREACH

dered him to stop. John Ring hurt my conscience
and got upon my nerves L went to Newbern.
n. c., to see about the back pay Of my men. The
COnfederates attacked our camp while was gone
John Ring driven away with the rest. Then
he remembered a sword that had been given me by
friends in Massachusetts, He returned and got it,
In his second escape he came TO burning bridge
Hanging to the Orders he crossed hand over hand.
but he terribly injured that he died. But
he saved the sword.
81 was arrested for being absent from my COM
mand. although had a pass in my pocket. After
months OF delay 1 tried and convicted The
President OF the United States heard the facts set
aside the verdict. made lieutenant colonel
and ordered West for staff service with Gen
eral Mcpherson At Kenesaw Mountain, while in
command of two batteries. Confederate shell ex-
pioded and was hit by fragment. When re-
gained consciousness at night the field
thought of my mother and John Ring One OF nv
arms was broken in two places and there was a
bad wound in my shoulder. 1 was in the hospital
for long time. l continued TO think of John
Ring and my mother. had earnest talks also
with the chaplain. Baptist minister. Since then
have tried TO be Christian
When I could travel went to Nashville for
medical treatment. There General George IT.
Thomas gave me dispatch for General John A
Logan. In Washington. The rough roads caused
my wounds to open and I collapsed at Harper's
Ferry. When was we'll the war was over
Il read law in Massachusetts, was graduated
from Albany University and moved to Minneapo-
lis. Joined Baptist church in ST PauI and CON
Quoted noon prayer meeting for men in my law
office. ] also started a newspaper Mrs Copvysu
and lived in two rooms. My practice increased
and I bought a home. While at a meeting NJ old
soldlerS my house burned TO the ground Reaching
the scene. suffered from a hemorrhage of the
lungs. My doctors ordered me 10 a miIder climate
But was penniless. Friends persuaded the Gov
ernor 10 send me to Germany as immigrant agent
for Minnesota. But my health was so bad that
/ couldn't perform my duties, Many hemorrhages
1ollowed- The physicians at hospital in Paris
found that bullet with which had been wounded
early in the war had worked down into one of
my lungs. ] came to New York and had the bpt-
let removed by the surgeons of Bellevue Hospital
Then l joined my wife in Boston We were
very poor and lived in room. l become news
paper reporter at s. a week. and Mrs ConwelI
took in sewing When my salary was increased we
rented a house. l practised law sold real estate
and lectured. Next 1 went around the world and
wrote travel letters for The New-York Tribune and
paper IN Boston l interviewed William OF
Germany, bismarck and the Prince OF Wales.
now Edward VII, King of England. I also Iect-
ured at Cambridge Italian history
Il resumed the practice of law when 7 pot bacl,
TO Boston, giving my services free 10 the moor AZ
night In some of mX patent cases 1 apDeared
before the Supreme Court of the United states
was prosperous and happy. But my wife died
Two years later I lost 10000. and was heavily In
debt besides began preaching along the docks
at night and teaching in the Sunday school OF
fremont Temple. Good fortune returned and I
was earning large fees in my profession But
closed my offices and went TO Lexington a nearby
village. and preached In the Baptist church for
$50 month. After two years came to PhiladeI-
pha and to poor little congregation that owed
$1,000, All the time l was lawyer and a lect-
urer ! never felt right. When l began 20 preach
my mind was at rest"
1copyright. iaos b. James d. AoTrOsJ