Hand County press. (Miller, Dakota [S.D.]) 1882-1893, 1884-01-09
FIGHTING UNDER ARREST.
A Captain Who Couldn't Keep out Of
q Fight While ON the skirmish


(, Capt Wheeler was a horn commander OF
skiImisEers. He had voice like bagle-
! blast, and an unusual amount OF push and
| dash In his composition He knew all about
human nature on the skirnish line, its strong
| points as well as its weaknesses, and seemed
! guided by an unerring instinct in ordering
forwari movements. Tie .elways AIMED 70
stampede the cnemy's slSrcishers, and very
! often succeeded. The ,nen of the regiment
hal the greatest confidence in him, and
| obeyed him with alacrity, and so, somewhat
I'd the disgust OF tho other officers of the
| regimeRs, nc monopoizel the shirmish bisi.
! less
In other departments le was not 50 great
| success. He was unscrupulous and reckless,
ant. was occasionally unalfT arrest He was
at once the pride aid the aggravation OF
Gen. Nelson. Fhe old soldier generally called
him huccaneer, and had him under arrssss
half the time for SOME of his 'devilisa practi
cal infringementsn Capt Whecler was under
arrest after Shiluh, aud Nelson was con-
stantly complaining abont the way his
skirmishel's acted before Corinth. Nothing
was done TO suit him, and he was on the line
every "a, fuain2 anu swearing and direct
ing. One day ie'insisbed that the postshonld
bc advanced He disln't want any child's
simply in listleSs skirmish fight A man
slipped down line OF force, and was in con-
sultation a moment with the officers. Then
iae passed along the line TO the right. Lhere
was 9 ltsa. TtieIi iauy uit the bugle tones "
Capt. w, and tho line moved forward.
There was no child's play. There was
terrible racket Then thare was charge,
and from beyond the wood came the sound
OF the captains voice, still urging bis mon
forward. Nelson was delighted and outraged
lie sent an aid to recall Capt. w. TELL the
d.-n fool, sir, he is un'ler a-rest. Tell him,
by heaven, sir, I'll have him hung IL he per-
sists in his contempt for me and my ordersn
And then as the shonf in front told Of an
other advance. the old general calculated:
Splendid, splendid, by h--l, sir, believe that
man will go right into Corinth."
The whole line was in fever of excitement.
Nelson was advancing his pcss and taking
advantage of every circumstances Nelson,
proud OF having accomplished so much,
was still indignant because Capt. w. had
sent him two or three impatient messages
He had three different officers under
orders to arrest the captain aud return him
to camp Finally the captain canlo back
SalntiDg, he said: General, have the
honor TO rerort that the boys have playei---
with the rebel line, aoi that they await your
permission to drive the Jehuniss into tloir
intrenchments. took little swing with
the boys and forgot All about the fact that
you ordered mo to remain in camp. I am
now ready to be shot, and you had better
shoot me now, because IL there is any more
advancing to be done, tho temptation will be !
too strong for me to resist" Much 10 every
body's surprise Nelson thnnlercd out " Re
sistf You won't resist il atalL You win de.
light in ii. You win disobey orders every
time. And by hi. sir, 30 would T. You |
can return to your company, SIR"