A $20.00 Life Preserver.

George E. Dixon, of Kentucky, USA, joined Company E of the 21st Alabama Volunteers during the American Civil War and eventually rose to the rank of Lieutenant.  For over a century, a persistent legend of romance and providence revolved around Lt. Dixon.   

Dixon met and fell in love with a young woman from Alabama, named Queenie Bennett. In an attempt to keep her sweetheart safe, Queenie gave him a $20.00 gold coin, as a good luck charm.  According to the legend, he kept the coin with him always, in his pocket, often looking at it and dreaming of the day when he and Queenie would be reunited.  

At the Battle of Shiloh in Tennessee, Lt. Dixon was reportedly shot and severely wounded in his thigh, at point blank range, the bullet hitting the coin… and the story goes that the impact left the gold piece bell-shaped, with the bullet embedded in it. Queenie’s gift had saved his life.

Battle of Shiloh 1862

Many such legends arose during the war. For almost 150 years, no one knew whether the story was true or merely a romantic tale from an epic time in the young nation’s history.

Military records do prove Lt. Dixon’s existence, and he was a genuine hero. On a key assignment, Lt. Dixon was given command of the C S S H.L. Hunley, the world’s first successful combat submarine, which, on its final assignment turned out to be one of the most important missions in modern naval history. However, this mission resulted in the sinking of the Hunley and loss of its crew off the coast of South Carolina. 

During the recovery of the H.L. Hunley in 2000, by the best selling author and explorer Clive Cussler, the gold coin was discovered with the mortal remains of Lt. George Dixon. It was deeply indented from the impact of a bullet and traces of lead were discovered on the coin, and a corresponding healed wound was found on the thigh bone of the good Lieutenant’s skeleton. 

The coin was minted in 1860. One side bears an image of Lady Liberty. The other side, which has a federal shield-and-eagle symbol, had been sanded and inscribed by hand. It clearly bears four lines of cursive script with the following words:

Shiloh
April 6, 1862
My life Preserver
G. E. D.

True to the romantic tale, a gift given in love had saved George Dixon from the enemy! 

Long ago, another gift was given in love, and this gift has also saved us from the enemy. Because of His great love for mankind God gave His all… “For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 MKJV

The Bible reveals our desperate and fatal condition due to our sin (“everyone has sinned and is far away from God's saving presence.” Romans 3:23 GNB) and God’s solution to this problem through the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, Who died for our sins… “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Ephesians 1:7 MKJV 

The Scriptures plainly teach us that if we will believe in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), repent of our sins (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), be baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38), and follow Him faithfully, then we will be “preserved” – live for an eternity with God in a blissful Paradise. We should hold this message close to our hearts and lives!  James says that the implanted Word is able to save us (James 1:21). It is truly THE Life Preserver!

Are you hiding God’s Word in your heart so that when the enemy’s bullets strike you, you will not be fatally wounded?

From God's Word

I have hidden Your Word in my heart, so that I might not sin against You.

Psalm 119:11 MKJV