Subject: George Pressler
Date: 05/30/1918
Source: Miamisburg News [Miamisburg Ohio]
Researcher: Lester Wead

Title: G.A.R. Veteran
Subtitle: Shot Near the Heart, But Survives. A Son Now an Aviator in France.

 Shot just above the heart, with another bullet going through his hat, is the 
story of the miraculous escape from death of George Pressler, a veteran on the 
Civil War, and a member of the old Ninety-third Regiment. Mr. Pressler now lives 
in Wabash, Ind. and was called here with his brother, Cornelius, to attend the 
funeral of his brother, Aaron Pressler, at Germantown.
 Mr. Pressler called The News office Saturday, and related the events of his 
narrow escape. It was at the Battle of Nashville on December 16, 1864, and the 
regiment was ordered to charge the enemy's breastworks. He was about thirty 
yards away when he fell with the bullet in his heart. He soon regained his 
senses, that had been temporarily knocked out, and rolled and walked down the 
hill to the Union lines, where he received aid, and was taken to the hospital.
 By almost a miracle the heavy bullet had been deflected by the crossed belts on 
his chest, and missed his heart by the fraction of an inch. After two months in 
the hospital he returned to the regiment and was mustered out at the end of the 
war.
 Mr. Pressler was given the bullet that came so near ending his life, and 
through all the years has preserved the lethal memento. It is a big Minnie ball 
of lead, and weighs an ounce.
 Mr. Pressler is perfectly acquainted with the history of the old Ninety-third, 
which at one time was reduced to ninety men. Considering the number of men 
engaged the percent of causality in many of the Civil War battles was much 
higher than anything in the present great war.
 His won, Warren Pressler, is evidently "a chip off the old block," and is now 
an aviator in France, and an interesting letter from whom we are permitted to 
publish.