When Alfred Torbert took the field he quickly proved to be a fierce fighter, resulting in his being given command of the famous New Jersey Brigade, consisting of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th New Jersey Regiments.  But, he also proved that he could be as magnanimous as he was fierce --even to his enemies.  There were many examples of this during his life, but one of the most interesting is also one of the least known.  It is the story of how Alfred Torbert saved the life of one of his enemies at Crampton's Gap, and how that enemy, who did not know his name, spent years trying to track down the man who had given him a second chance and thank him. 

        John O. Waddell was a true Son of the South.  Born December 3, 1841, in Georgia, Waddell came from a distinguished Georgia family.  His father was a well-known and respected Presbyterian minister, and his grandfather was the founder of the University of Georgia.  John was a student at that university when the war broke out, and quickly enlisted as a Corporal in what would soon become the well-known Troup Artillery.  By June, 1862, he was a Sergeant and Chief of the Piece of one of the battery's guns.  On September 14, both he and Torbert were at Crampton's Gap, near the tiny Maryland town of Burkittsville.  Waddell's guns were at the top of the Gap intent on preventing the Yankees from pushing them off.  Torbert was determined to do just that.

An Alfred Waud sketch of the Union assault on Crampton's Gap, of which Torbert's Brigade was a part, from Harper's Weekly .

        You can read more about the heroic fighting of then-Colonel Torbert and his brigade here.  Our story picks up the day after that great Union victory in which Torbert so handily distinguished himself.  The fighting had ended and the grisly work of treating the wounded and retrieving the dead had begun.  Torbert and his aides were riding over the field looking for any of the 172 wounded and killed men of his brigade that may not have yet been found.  As they rode along, he came upon a young Georgia artillerist who had been severely wounded in the face and neck and was unable to speak.  It was apparent that he was close to death.  That artillerist was 2d Lieutenant John Waddell.  We are indebted to Torbert Society President Marvin Schelhouse who has provided a copy of an original letter written to Torbert's wife by a grateful Waddell years later, on February 18, 1885.  In it he describes what happened next.

        On the 14th day of September 1862 the fortunes of war found your noble husband and myself in hostile opposition - he as Colonel commanding the 1st New Jersey Brigade - I in a Battery of Georgia Artillery.  Just at sunset, I was desperately wounded and left on the field all night.  The next morning I was found by the Col. commanding the Brigade, who informed that the ambulances were, and would be for some time, busy on another part of the field, and that he was unwilling to leave me on the field so long without attention.  He had me put on his horse, and sent his Irish orderly back to a small town called Burketsville Md. three miles in the rear, sending a message to the surgeon of the hospital to give me his personal attention.

        Waddell survived his wounds, was paroled at Aiken's Landing, Virginia, on October 12, 1862, and allowed to return home; but, his remarkable career --and luck-- was not over.  By January 20, 1863, John Waddell had recovered enough that he chose to return to combat duty, during which time he was

• wounded (ankle broken) May 3, 1863 at Fredericksburg
• wounded at Gettysburg July 2, 1863 (assault on Little Round Top)
• wounded (fractured left arm) May 6, 1864 at the battle of the Wilderness
• wounded in the instep Aug. 16, 1864 at Richmond

Waddell

        In the midst of all this, he had the time to accept promotion to 1st Lieutenant and transfer to the 20th Georgia Infantry as its Adjutant, marry Miss Ella Clifton Peek on September 2, 1863, while on wounded furlough, and accept a final promotion to Major and duties as Inspector General.  In spite of his seeming proclivity to get himself wounded, he survived the war and on April 9, 1865, John O. Waddell surrendered with the rest of Lee's Army at Appomattox Court House and returned to life as a civilian.
 
        After the war, he became a successful planter in Polk County, Georgia, worked for the Georgia Department of Agriculture, and for six years was President of the Georgia State Agricultural Society.  He joined the Masons, as did Torbert. 

        He led a highly-successful and fulfilling life, there was one thing that John Waddell wanted to do:  find out who it was that had rescued him from death on that dark day in September of 1862, and make contact to thank him.  For years he tried without success. Then, in 1885, with the help of a friend, he discovered that his battlefield "angel" was Alfred Torbert.  Sadly, it was too late, Torbert had died.  He was able to learn the address of Mary Torbert, and wrote to her.

Mary Currey Torbert

        The desperate nature of my wound, (through the face and neck, and from which I yet greatly suffer) prevented me from making inquiries as to his name, home &c, but I have tried long to ascertain these facts, that I might at least write and thank him for his kindness.
        Though the kindness of my friend, Mr. John J. Hull Browning of New York, who has been interested in getting the facts for me, I learn...that Col. Torbert was made a Maj. Genl. and afterwards, Aug. 29, 1880, was drowned off Key West.  It is a sore disappointment to me, after so many years of searching to find that he is no more. 

        Then he asked her for a photograph to remember him by.

        We never met but the one time referred to yet I have since then entertained for him sentiments of high regard, and I should do violence to my own nature if I failed to express myself to you.  I would value a photograph of him and have to ask that you will do me the kindness to send one.  It will be a reminder of one of the few pleasant incidents in my war experience.

        In 1911, he was elected Commander of the Northern Georgia Brigade, United Confederate Veterans (UCV).  John Waddell died at Cedartown, Georgia, after suffering for more than 50 years from the effects of the wound he received at Crampton's Gap.

*Pictured here as the Commander of the Georgia Department, United Confederate Veterans

Copyright 2007, George W. Contant.  All Rights Reserved.