The Howard union. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1865-1866, 1865-09-07
The Late Assault npon the Rebel Gen
Wheeler.
HEADQUARTERS 4TH BRIGADE,

Headquarters 4TH BRIGADE,
DIsT. OF MIDDLE TENN, NASHVILLE,
NASHVILLE, Tenn, Aug. %, 1865.
General Orders, No. ii
In accordance with orders from Head.
quarters Military Division of The Tennessee,
the following correspondence in the case of
the late assault upon Mr.. ]. Wheeler, at
the City Hotel, is published for general
information
NASHVILLE, Aug. "a, 1865.
Mai. Gen. GEO. B. THOMAS, Nashville 4:
In obedience to your instructions, have
the honor to make the following stateme nj:
An order from the War Department of the
United States, releasing me from confine-
ment as a prisoner Of war, directed that |
should be psroled in accordance with the
terms agreed upon between Maj. Gen.
Sherman and Gen. Johnston. have not
carried about my person or baggage any
weapons since May 1st, 1865.
| About o'clock P. NJ. on the 2lst inst,
while ! was lying on my bed in my room
at the City Hotel, and no other person being
in the room, some one knocked at my door.
After partially dressing myself, unlocked
my door, when two officers partially dressed
in the 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 the kindness received
at the time. The other said he knew me,
and had called to make his personal respects.
After lew moments Of polite conversation,
they rose and babe me goodby, remarking
that, as they discovered was unwell, they
would not remain longer. About five
minutes after their departure. heard
another knock at my door, which l again
unbolted as soon as possible, when two
other officers, dressed in United States
uniform, neither of whom l had ever seen
before, entered. One of them advanced
and extended his hand; which / took,
While in the act Of shaking hands, he re-
marked: sis this Gen. Wheeler ?" and
upon answering in the affirmative, he stated
that he was Col. Blackburn. The other
officer Immediately seized me by both arms,
when Col, Blackburn, having given no
previous intention whatever OF his hostile
purpose, struck me violently twice upon
my head with club OF considerable dimen-
? sions.
struggled away from the man who
held me, and, as / 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 Col. Blackburn
; between him and myself. Col. Blackburn
continued his attempts to strike me, but
}, succeeded in warding off his blows will
# my arms.
Finally, gentleman caught hold of the
other officer, when Col. Blackburn hastily
U ran back and ran down the stairs. 1 an
satisfied that the attempt was upon my lite
and that the pistol would have been fired a
u me but from the fact of Col. Blackbur
'e being between myself and the officer hold
re ing it. l would here state that never
IT issued any orders whatever TO the prejudice
" OF Col. Blackburn or any of his men, anC
: that all of his men who fell into my hands
u were kindly treated and allowed TO return
to their command in bodies, in order tina
they might not be m olested by any one.
IN would further state that while passing
,e through the country do not recollect tina
any complaint was made Ivy any of Col
Backburn's family or that anything what
s. ever was taken from them,
J., am, General, very respc'y, your obi. sev't.
y ]. WHEELER, late L. S. A.
I'd The foregoing is addressed 10 you in tn
Of form of an official communication but nov
at desire to swear the facts are true as Sc
% forth. j. WHEELER, late q. S. A.
HEADaRs. MIL. Div. OF THE TENNESSEE,
q. NASHVILLE, Tenn, Aug. 26, 1865.
- Brew. Brig. Gen. Il. c. Mason, Command
VI ing Post of Nashville:
W GENERAL-I have the honor 10 acknow
~ edge the receipt Of your report of the in
lyestigatiOn ordered by the Major.