The Charlotte Journal

[From the Baton Rouge Gazette]

STRANGE CIRCUMSTANCE

A few days since a stranger accosted a negro man in the woods about seven miles above this town and inquired the distance to St. Augustine. The negro replied that he knew no place of that name, but that Baton Rouge was at a short distance. He was then asked the distance to the nearest physician and farm. The negro then pointed out the road to Mr. Nelson's, where the stranger subsequently arrived. His denuded appearance and gentlemanly manners, attracted the notice of Mr. Nelson, who with kindness and humanity bestowed upon him every attention that his situation required. From his conversation it was ascertained that he is an officer of the U. S. Army,--Lieutenant C. B. Chalmers of the first Regiment of Artillery, lately stationed at St. Augustine, Florida. He states that the last recollection he has is of taking a ride, (which he was in the habit of doing every morning) in the vicinity of St. Augustine. It is surmised that he was thrown from his horse which caused a concussion of the brain, producing insanity, and in that state he crossed the peninsula of Florida, and wandered thus far.

He states that when he found himself in the woods and met the negro, it appeared to him that he was waking from a disagreeable dream. He has some faint recollection of being on a rail road, but cannot account for his finding himself there. It is really wonderful that he should have escaped the tribes of hostile Indians in Florida, and sustained the privations of every kind which he must have encountered during his erratic wanderings until he reached this place. It will be gratifying to his friends and relatives to know that the officers at this post, the moment they learned the circumstances, had him removed to the garrison, where medical attendance, and every possible care has been extended to him.