Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1862-01-10

! Capt. o. P. Miller, Co. Z.
Capt R. g. Atkins Co. =.
There is no regiment even brigade, which has At.
attracted as much attention In the army as this baa
ion 1t has been perhaps, the suffice OF many calon.
MES, though it cannot be denied that they have
always exhibited that regard for Others which military
law imposes Ny observation ta,, however, Satisfied
me- to absolute certainty that this battalion is not NOR,
chargesble with these venial ofnces than other regi
ments Of whom mention has not been made. LIST.
MAI. CHATHAM ROTTERDAM WHAT.
This gentleman was born in Aeraudri., in the year
of 1925 His father Is the Rev. j. =. Wheat, en- Epis.
copal Minister, and at one time Professor At Chapel
Hill, North Carolina He is at present the E9iscopL
minister at Little Rock, Arkansas and dGseryedly uQ-
cupies high position in the Church, Of NAicn A. h
Distinguished pastor; respected By all for bis christian
rectitude and talent But while the path the father has
been that Of the highest Of all paths that of peace and
quiet christianity, the impulses OF the has led him
t. different theatre, In which the has been equally
to his professions. Major Wheat received The or
binary collegiate education Of Southern gentlemen, ana
his first appearance in public was as lieutenant
Of the Memphis Eagle Guards. 10 tina: capacity
he discharged the duties for several months with
entire satisfaction, and in the charge at Madeline
Bridge he bore himself with distinguished gallanry, and
with daring courage followed the reIeatug Ne1icaus
through the town. Al subsequent period Of the war;
when the proposition made to the volunteers TO u
enlist for the war, an overwhelming majority Of the fen-
nessee volunteers decided net to Ee@An except upon
conditions rejected BY General Scott. Among the few
Who remained was Msj Wheat, who raised company
Of cavalry, Of which he unanimously elected cap.
tain In this position he bore himself through tie war
| and received tho highest compliments from his com.
handing officers, and was specially complimented BY
General Scott himself. Upon the declaration OF peace.
hsjor Wheat returned and, obtiinirg icenee TO-,
the law school, settled in New CrlesT Tia .oatine Of
the legal profession little sited his giaalrc character
and soon see him again miuglingvn the stormy con.
cts Of Mexico general officer, and fighting then
as now, for independence. He subsequently con.
nected himself with all he ejrts of Lopez FOR the iii
esssbed the consesuence3Af still later period bs
was with Gen. Waller, 80 involved in dangers which
seemed TO neoessate deth but host miracuously es.
capsd-thOugh not without tcalvg severe wounds and
Injuries, being at time bosnup on steamer, and
absolutely falling in the Eater.
1t mig ht reasonably 81 I'd that a gentleman
thus favored by destiny would b. continue to tempt the
tickle deity Not so with NJ OK Wheat, Action was 10
him the very gament Of existence. lie could not live
Without Il and when rbadi raised the AZ OF itahau
Independence, zee him crossing the Atlantic and
rendering his stainless sword to that mighty chief
Throughout the whole OF that brilliant revolution be
was side by side with the Italian hero-sharng his coun
sels and daring all dangers. Inisren. Of lire he gal
Topped the field of battle il going TO bridal
aud Won, from grlyhaircd heroes, the s of tho
American MoraL That over, he AGAIN returned TO
the land of his birth-hen being severed into Atoms
10 this contingency, in every other OF his eventiu life
he consulted alone the impulses of his own high honor
Sensitive to wrong he felt the wrongs done the South
a, il done personally to himself and heststed ma Il,
seek opportunity to aTenge thsm. immediately upon
the secession OF louisiana perhaps before ho raised
a company and rendered it to the Safe. battalion
was afterwards organized, Of which he appointed
commanding officer.
Brilliant as his life had been, here eliminates bis true
glory aud here the soldier rses into the patriot feh
lug for his native land. With bis gallant followers be
came to Virginia asking only to be placed where dan
ger had to be dsfsd and proudly reliant upon bis ba
talon and himself, he claimed the forlorn hope TIC
history Of the 2lst will tell how he INDICATED that claim
aud how his battalion vndicsted IL. With hut ;l.ea
hundred men be charged the entire Yankee hnes and
twice repulsed them. Sill they cime aad still the gal :
l.nt Wheat and his battalion opposed them while the
order Of battle being arranged. This check of the
Yankee forces saved the day probably, or certainly
slved greater Sacrifices of life than actually occurred.
But "tempted fate" will desert its avoriie times.
While cheering on his and ds mounted, at their
head Msjor Wheat staggered back
why dro,ps ths' piuned c'e.',
The shafts sptd-he a,roW Is In biz breast"
Soldiers only appreciate the gre! OF those who
their commander thus struck down. Rut they bore L,
Captain White OF TIE Tgors, was present! and, wi:hous
comment continued the Aght Nos could NJ jlr Wheat
have had nobler repsesentaive--oravc TO n fauli,
clvalrcus in every impu!seyet a. the tine de-
rmned, as far as possible, to the lives those
entrusted 10 bis care Alexander White calmly moved
over ths, field as he al moved the sld OF Baen'
Vista. uober or briver man never lived. He has
never thought of self from the beginning 10 the present
ne, nor will he be found wanting in the future when
brave men are wanting to ccosummate programme.
Tasse perhaps does no; e4st the nanhn whom there
minges at the time the same courage and the same
gsnleness he Is at the contradiction OF himself
the bold fbus,er defyisg everything, and the gallant
,n,leman sensitive TO every appeal Of stfring. Loyal
{, the South, he is also loyal to himself sn seeking
glory, he asks only to be ordered where suffering is
Msjor Wheat and he are destined ye: to make their
mark. shall write further in future. c. =,
90. B, is,h Va, Regt.
THE DOG QUESTION.
To he Editor Of ,hs Wdig
The suggestion Of wr.ter 10 the Whis Of the h IN
siut respecting the tGr dogs" is timely ard appIo.
priae. beg to ofdT an amendment. Instead Of