The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1865-09-04
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al WHEELER, of tie c. >SyAsmak&the
following statement of his difficulty with
Colonel BLACKBURN, at the Nashville
City Hotel, on the 2lst:
while was lying on my bed in my
room at the City Hotel, no other person
being in the room, some one knocked at
my door. After partially dressing my
self, unlocked my door, when two ON
GERS, partially dressed in United States
uniform, entered, one Of whom stated
that he at one time had been prisoner
in my hands, and that he had come to
thank me for kindness received at the
time. The other stated that he knew me
and had called to make his personal re-
spects. After a few moments of polite
conversation, they arose and babe me
goodbye, remarking that, as they discov-
cred I was unwell, they would not re-
main any longer. About five minutes
after their departure, / heard another
knock at my door, which again unbolt-
ed as soon as possible, when two other
officers, dressed in United States uniform,
neither of whom had ever seen before,
entered; one of them advanced and ex-
tended his hand, which took; while in
the act of shaking hands, he remarked,
is this General Wheeler ?" and on my
answering in the affirmative he stated
that he was Colonel Blackburn. The
other officer Immediately seized me by
both arms: when Colonel Blackburn,
having given me no previous intimation
whatever of his hostile purpose, struck
me violently twice upon my head with q
Climb of considerable dimension.
Il struggled away from the man who
held me, and as I left the room both the
assailants followed me, the other officer
holding pistol in threatening manner.
am confident only prevented him from
shooting me, by. keeping Colonel Black.
burn between him and myself Colonel
Blackburn continued his attempts to
strike me, but l succeeded in warding OH
his blows with my arms. .s.
FINALLY, gentleman caught hold OF
the other officer, ,when Colonel Black
burn hastily ran back and down the
stairs. f u.# ...... 81.
81 am satisfedfthat the attempt was
one upon my life, and the pistol would
have been fired at me but from the fact
of Colonel Blackburn being between my
self and the officer holding it.
II would here state that never issued
any order whatever, to the prejudice OF
Colonel Blackburn OF any Of his men,
and that all his men who fell into my
hands were kindly treated and allowed
to return to their command i'll bodies, in
order that they might not be molcsted 10y
any one" . -.
General THOMAS ordered an investiga
ton, and the facts substantially confirm
WHEELER's statement, General +. c,
MASON, commanding at Nashville, is di.
rceted to
Convey to Lieutenant Colonel Black
burn and Captain Quinn, of the 4th Ten
nessee Cavalry, the notification OF the
extreme displeasure and reprimand nf
Major General Thomas, for their unofii
cer-like and highly reprehensible con
duct, and say to them that the muster
out of the service of their regiment
has been the only reason for their not
being subject to arrest and trial by court
martial Their Conduct at the time OF
the assault, as well as subsequently, has
been an insult and disgrace to the uni
form they wore, and is justly discounten'
anced and frowned down upon by every
honorable and high-minded officer and
enlisted man in the service.
''The Major General commanding iii
reefs that you will further require oi
Lieutenant Colonel Blackburn and Cap.
tain Quinn positive and satisfactory rs,
surance for their future gn"d conduct
and the strict compliance with all q! ders
and regulations for the preservation and
maintenance of public peace, aud at The
same time advising them that they;will
he held to strict accountability for any
further breach of the same"