Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-01-05
RRIG GEN. JOSEPH WHEELER. JR.

This brave and gallant young officer has won such
distinction in the recent operations Of Gen. Braggs
army, that We perform grateful duty in making the
public more familiar with his personal and professional
character He is the of of the Oldest and most
esteemed citizens Of Augusta, Georgia. few years
ago he graduated with distinction at West Point and
received commission in the LIST Dragons, U. S. A.
On the secession of Georgia he promptly resigned his
commission and rendered his service his native State
He was made Captain of Artillery and sent Pensa-
cola but subsequently transferred by promotion to
the command of the 18th Regiment of Alabama Infantry
At the bloody battle of Shiloh, this regiment en-
spicuous for its seadiness and intrepidity as was s
youthful commander for the GOODNESS and skill with
which be handled il. Upon the evacuation Of Cor
NTH he was placed in command of choice brigade to
which was assigned the perous duty of being the last
TO leave the breaswOrks and which rendered most i'm
porant service in covering the retreat From this point
we take up the narrative of writer for the Augusta
Cousiitu!ioRatid
About this period the cavalry was looked upon with
great distrust and tainted useless branch Of
the service and should be dismounted IL was deemed
well enough for Generals to have their body guards and
courers but further than such duties the cavalry was
not known All civilized nations well as barbarous
understand the importance of this branch of the
vice, and hence many men have spent much time
in military tactics and in eevating il to ts true
position II has been very appropriately styled the
0eye of the army" The question arose IN council
Who will bring up the cavalry Our little hero las
he Is now termed) called from the Infantry aud
given command OF brigade, which was duly Or
ganized aud disciplined aud has clearly proven 10 all
the doubtful that cavalry not only be OF material
advantage aud service in engagement but IS really
necessary Such was the success which attended the
movements of the Brigade throughout the Kentucky
campaign that only did the little hero receive the
praises of the whole Army Of the Mississippi from the
General 70 the private but exored the eu!ogy Of Gen
Be that he never saw cavalry do such effective service
Prisoners from the Abolition Army were constantly de-
Amiug their own cavalry and lAuding our Brigade On
no OCCASION when there the least opportunity, did
our brave leader fail TO charge their cavalry, and each
time With the most glorious success During the late
boodv battle Perryvie, position was on the lei!
flank Of the army and right brsvely did our Brigade
engage and check one whole division Of the Abolition
ists
TThen our ora7e aud JUS; BraZton Dragg was coz
Tnced that Keatucky however loud Der expressions OF
syniplfh7 had been 5as joined to heridos aud must
Dc e alone in her chains and slavery sgain cur little
hero received The FIRST compliment by being appoAted
Chief Of Cavalry and the cavalry Of the whole army or
dered to report 10 him. Ii small work to properly
dispose and handle thousand mounted men; yet the
Young chief showed much skill and military ability in
managing that number as he did in controlling his own
proper command With this corps he was entrusted
with the duty Of covering the of the army. Day
after day and night after night did he watch the enemy
with vigant eye and make him feel the power Of his
enemy pursued our retreat With great vgor,
but we fought them wherever they showed themselves
So completely had whipped theiI cavalry that az no
time subsequent to the battle ofPeyvs did dare to
show Itself IN front Of the infantry HsRSs we were