Twitching Toes saved Harrison Township Veteran from being BURIED Alive on Day Vicksburg Gives Up- by the Rambler
Sunday, April 25, 1937, Sun Commercial
Ninety-six year old William Wyant, of Harrison Township, one of few surviving veterans of the seige of Vicksburg, whose life was saved 74 years ago by his twitching toes....
Down in the southeastern corner Harrison Township the tall beech and tulip trees are thrusting their aged arms into the sleeves of springs young leaves, where lives 96 year-old William Wyant with the story of how he escaped from being buried alive in soldiers' grave on the battlefield of Vicksburg, all because had a set of toes that wiggled.
Old Mr. Wyant can no longer tell you the story. For though the years have not quenched his independence of spirit nor lulled the ardor of his voice, they have taken heavy toll in sight and hearing. Practically blind, unable to hear, he doesn't know you want him to narrate the story of how the flies buzzed around his bleeding young head those many years ago, also had a role in saving his life.
But his children know the story, and so do his grandchildren, particularly Curtis G. Shake, the attorney. Mr. Shake was born in the 70 year -old log house that still stands stalwartly down there in the Beech Tree Hills. As a lad he worked in the fields with his grandad and heard him tell the story on long winter evenings, and as a climax, Grandad had him place his hand in the deep depression at the crown of his head.
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Mr. Wyant made a rapid recovery. Why didn't he die from infection and all? The flies, believe it or not, are the answer. They laid maggots in that wound and maggots feed on dead tissue and infected flesh. Science learned that in the Civil War. Many soldiers lived just as Mr. Wyant despite terrible wounds. Result today Maggots are raised scientifically and used in hospitals to fight infections.
This is the story, the old gentleman has carried that half dollar in his head all these years. In the deep depression, you can still feel it under the thatch of heavy gray hair. Now and then when the sun gets hot, old Mr. Wyan will grasp his head and complain that the bugs are eating there again.
After, Mr. Wyant came back to Knox County, he took his bonus in land and built two story log house the picture which illustrated this story. It still stands here. You have to climb a high knob to reach the old homestead and from near the road that the WPA has cut out of the red clay banks. Down there everywhere are the tall beech, the tulip trees, the yellow poplar; Remenants of a forest that made White River near by hum with flat boats and river commerce. Trees have been a passion with the old Gentleman. Has 800 acres of land, included several hundred acres of deep ravines and hill which he had refused to clear.
Today it contains some of the finest timber in the state. Situated on the White River, Knox County nature lovers hope it eventually can be converted into a state game preserve or park. It has beauty that rivals Brown County's best. Felt sorry for old Mr. Wyant as he sat on the porch of his home there in the fresh young spring sunshine. He had been in his room where on wall is framed the farewell address his captain made the day he was mustered out of service at Baton Rouge. Pictures of him as a young, pictures of other members of the family.
He registered his independence of spirit when they indicated they wanted him to go outdoors. He was comfortable indoors, he said vehemently and with spirit that belied his 96 years. Finally he stepped out, cane and all and sat down on the chair and stared at the hills which he could not see.
Five of Mr. Wyants eight children are still living; Sisters, D.W. Shake, mother of Curtis Shake, who lives in Monroe City, John, Dan, Mrs Cora Snyder and Mrs Nora Stafford. The latter four live on land belonging to or near their father. Mr. Wyant has 20 plus grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren.
Mr. Wyant will be 97 years old on June 16.
On the morning of July 4,1863, the very day that Vicksburg gave in and surrendered to the North, Mr. Wyant was eating chow- in those days it was beans and hard tack- with Steve Johnson. Seems like there weren't very many around. There was a crack and Mr. Wyant slumped over with a bullet in the crown of his head. He has always said that the bullet first struck a tree, then glanced and struck him. The bullet was battered and you have to take the Old Gentleman's word for it, nor Mr. Shakes. For the actual bullet has been preserved.
Just what Johnson did when his partner fell over, no one seems to remember now. Perhaps things were popping to fast with the surrender and all. Any how Mr. Wyant was the original forgotten man.
How long he laid unconscious in the trench, he doesn't know - Two days maybe three days. Millions of flies buzzed around that hot fourth of July day. Evenetually, the burial squad came along. They looked Mr. Wyant over. He was apparently dead. They were about to carry him away and bury him, when the toes came to the rescue. They twitched faintly. Not much of a twitch to be sure, but one of the soldiers saw it. He rubbed his eyes, they twitched again. The soldiers took no chances. They carted him to the field hospital.
There Dr. Jessup was on duty as Company doctor. He examined Mr.Wyant, found the bullet and removed it. Probably not dreaming his patient would ever recover, exposed to the hot sun, the filth, and flies and all. Dr. Jessup gave all his skill. He fitted a half dollar hi had in his pocket to the hole in that skull, sewed back the scalp and hoped for the best.
Plug Bullet Hole
"Feel that half dollar," He would say, "Thats what Dr. Jessup put in my head that bullet Johnny Reb made."
He was referring to Dr. Robert Jessup, father of Mrs. J.B.E. LaPlante, now of Lexington Ky and Robert Jessup, now living in California. But on with the story.
Old Mr.Wyant was born in Prussia and came to America as a child with his parents. When the state went to war, he was a lad of 20 and enrolled in Capt john B. Hutch---. Company H, 24th Indiana Infantry in July 1861. He enlisted as a musician - he was fifer, but he carried a gun and his share of battles. Most of his service was spent up and down the Old Mississippi. Ultimately, he became part of Grants Army which had endeavored so to wrest Vicksburg from the South.
It had been a heart break campaign. Vicksburg was important to the North for her guns, some 200 miles of the Mississipi's northern commerce. Engineers tried to canal their way ----- Vicksburg in vain. They had to storm the heights, but Vicksburg was a hard nut to crack. Before Grant heard, he prefered Joseph to stop- was on his way for Regimentsto the Southern Stronghold. By forced marches, Grant threw his army in between and defeated Johnston at the Champions Hill. Then Grant settled down to starve Vicksburg out.
Struck by the Bullet
Recovers Rapidly
His two story which he built upon his return from the war. Where his son Daniel lives today. Curtis Shake, his grandson, was born in this house and spent most of his boyhood there. The logs, made timber, are hidden by clapboard. Gond is the old pioneer type chimney which once stood at one end.