The Autobiography of John M. Mitchell

By Gregory Dolezal

This is the story of a young country boy who was, in many ways, like young men and women of today. He was trying to find himself and survive in a world that is moving very quickly. As so many others were doing, he does his best to do his duty and not waver in his responsibilities. After a life of holding it in, he finally tells his son about his personal hell.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Aug 5, 2019
• ISBN: 9781532078200

Gregory Dolezal

My name is Gregory Dolezal, and I am a great-grandson of John M. Mitchell. I grew up in Indiana and have always had a love of American history. When my aunt Doris shared that she had His autobiography, and told me some of his stories, I was fascinated. Over the years, I was able to travel to sites that impacted him. Today, I am able to relate with some of the effects that he dealt with all through his life due to my exposure toxic water I drank while stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.N.C

Book preview

TWO OLD SOLDIERS

This is a picture of two old soldiers, one from the North, the other from the South. On the left, in front of the younger child, is my great-grandfather, John Mitchell. He fought with the 79th Illinois Volunteers, was wounded and, eventually taken prisoner at the Battle of Chickamauga. He spent time in several prison camps, including a place called Andersonville. He was released at the end of the war, went home, and lived his life. He carried scars from the war, not the least of which was his bitterness towards his former enemy.

The other man was neither a friend nor a family member. He was someone who had come for a reunion with other old soldiers. It is said that he may have fought on this very ground, Gettysburg. He shared the same type of bitterness that had haunted my great-grandfather.

Two old soldiers, facing the ends of their lives, ready to let go of the bitterness, maybe not knowing how. There must have been an introduction, perhaps some small talk, a dance of sorts. An invitation to join in on a family picture.

When the posing was through, the two old soldiers walked off, alone. Nobody knows what they said. They would not discuss it, even later. Even if others were right there, concentrating with all their might, they probably wouldn’t have heard the same thing that these two old soldiers heard from one another. Two old soldiers, one North, one South. One common bitterness, one final reunion, knowing they would soon be looking into the face of their God.

When they returned to their families, they walked arm-in-arm, tears streaming down their faces. They said their good-byes, never to meet again.

The Autobiography of

JOHN M.

MITCHELL

GREGORY DOLEZAL

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THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF JOHN M. MITCHELL

Copyright © 2019 Gregory Dolezal.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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