Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-09-16
IY7Z INTER VIEWED.

Narsins the Canvass wsiI-A Free Chat.
Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.l
BUCKINGHAM @. H., Sept. IA.
General fitz Lee left Richmond Sum
day morning ria the Richmond and AL
l,ghany railroad. A representative OF
|. the Dispatch accompanied him. The
General is looking well and in fine
spirits, and says that he will I'll every
appointment that has been made Tor
him bv the State Executive Committee.
He saws that he has been speaking
twice day for several days, and does
not object says it rather agrees with
him.
lie was asked if he had seen the let
tiers Of DIR. Richard and John 5. wise
| in reference to the story that the latter
had taken his fathers horse. General
Lees reply was that he had just heard
that DIR. Wise had said that he was the
one who carried off the horse, and that
John Wise had stated that he was not
with his father at the time. General
Lee said that he told the story in Acco-
mack or Northampton county, and that
he received it in letter by mail from
MIR. McCaa. of Linden, Ala, who is
lawYer, and was a member Of an Ala
bama regiment in Bushrod Johnson's
| division.
Have you the letter?
Yes. ] received two from Mr..
| McCaa, but have only one with me.
| The other left at home, and am
sorry did not bring it, as it contains
some interesting army "reminiscences OF
General Wise, and enters more into the
details Of the story.
would like to publish the one you
have if you do not object.
Why, certainly you may have it.
have no objection to its publication,
said General Lee.
The letter is as follows:
LINDEN, ALA, August l6, 1885.
General Fitzhugh Lee, Richmond, w.:
NV Dear Sir,-An old soldier of the
Army of Northern Virginia hopes that
you may be triamphantly elected. |
do not know any way of helping you,
but if you will permit me. will tell
little story of Johnny Wise, which, |
think, if it is valueless as campaign
document, will be at least amusing.
On the march to Appomattox, Bush
rod Johnson's division Of Anderson's
corps was one day in the rear and was
very hard pressed by the enemy. A
little before sunset was passing Wise's
brigade, which was in the rear OF the
division. Colonel William b. Tabb
called me and told me that General
Wise was on foot and was nearly
broken down, and asked me to let him
have nv horse. told him | would do
so with pleasure. We found the old
General leaning against tree and una
BILE to 60 farther. With assistance ne
mounted my horse and rode on.
We bivuoacked that night near High
Bridge, and | was ordered to get my
horse and find, if possible, our wagons.
found General Wise at his - head
quarters sitting on a stump and hold
ing my horse by the bridle-rein. He
thanked me very kindly, and giving me
the bride, said /" I don't know what
| shall do when we move. Johnny
carried my horse off this morning, and
he will never get back. 1t would be
Just like him. Johnny was born in the
wrong place, and d--n if don't believe
he always will be in the wrong place. "
asked all officer near me who John
nv was? He told me that he was John
Wise, a young son Of the Generals.
who was attached to his staff. j never
saw Johnny that | know OF.
I have learned in the past few days
that your opponent is the Johnny of
my story, and that he was born in Bra
iii. suppose this is what his father
meant by saying he was " born in the
wrong place" and if he were alive now
| am certain old Henry A. Wise would
still believe Johnny would always be
exactly where he ought not to be.
If this story can be of any use to you
You are at liberty to use it. My expe'
rience in politics teaches me that mere
trifles are often very effective.
Wishing you success at the coming
election, and with my best wishes fol
your health and happiness, ! am, yours
respectfully, EUGENE MCCAA,
Attorney at Law.
John $. Wise says you ought u
apologize, remarked the DispatcI
man.
) The General laughed and said he ha'
no apologies TO offer to any one or an.
further explanation to make of tn
matter. He further stated that h
would not use the story again, as
seemed that Mr.. McCaa was mis-
taken.
General, how have you been maxim
' out in the canvass; How do you stan
: the fatigue?
Very well. Ny army campaign
: make political campaigns easy, so ia
=. as fatigue is concerned.
How does your voice hold out?
First-rate
Some of the Republicans charge tht
:, YOU read your speech from manuscript
- Is that true?
;. No; il is false. | never wrote
y political speech in my life.
:, Dou you count on getting out fu
vote?
y Yes. the contest il an importar