Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-09-09

DR.. Wise sends US a column in reply
to short paragraph or two. We do
not feel under any obligation to devote
so much space to so small matter,
but rather than seem to be unjust to an
opponent, we publish his letter entire.
WILLIAMSBURG, VA,
September 7, 1885,,
To the Editor Of the Dispatch
Ny attention has just been called to
report Of Fitz Lees campaign on the
Eastern Shore, signed " Kallias," dated
Onancock, Va, September 3, 1885, in
which the following occurs:
BY the way, General Lee tells a very
striking story on Johnny Wise, and the
beauty OF IL Is that II is true. For the bene-
General Lee In this contest, send 1t 10 the
DispGfch. A soldier in one OF the southern
States wrote TO General Lee soon after ais
nomination and related the following incl
dent
General Henry A. Wise, while on the dis.
asiIous retreat 10 Appomattox in the late
war. was observed by colonel OF the army
TO be In an exhausted condition and lean.
ing against tree. He had no horse and
WAS about TO fall into The hands of the
enemy. who were close on the heels OF the
retreatiDg Confederates. The colonel rode
TO one OF his men and asked him TO lend
General Wise his horse. The soldier did
so. and that evening when he went 10
where General Wise's command had
biyouacked to get his horse, he found
the old General sitting on a stump hold
ing the reins OF the bride. He returned
the horse with many thanks. saying that
be did not know what would have become
of him but for the loan of the horse. Just
as the soldier was about TO leave General
Wise said: My son Johnny took my morse
and rode away. God only knows where he
has gone. and perhaps he Will never come
back again. But, to tell the truth johnny
was born in the wrong place, and I'll be
d---d If he don't get in the wrong place
every time you give him half chance"
This is the story; but you must hear Gen.
eral Lee tell II In order 10 enjoy u fully.
kALLIAs.
This story is utterly false. John 5.
Wise was lieutenant in the prov-
sional army of the Confederate States,
after he had been wounded at the bat
tie of New Market in the gallant charge
made by the Virginia Military Institute
cadets at that place and he was sta
toned, prior to and during the retreat
Of the Army Of Northern Virginia,
as sdjutant of some artillery. at the
High Bridge, near Farmville, Va. He
was not a member Of the Army of
Northern Virginia proper at that time,
and was not in Wise's brigade. He
carried through the Federal lines the
last dispatches from President Davis
to General r. f. Lee, and back from
him to President Davis, at Danville,
and is honorably mentioned for this
service by President Davis in his book
about the war.
l am the son Of General Wise, who
carried off his horse, prior to the sur
render. under the following circum-
stances: When Wise's brigade, of
Bushrod Johnson's division, had re-
pulsed the first attack made by the
enemy at Sailors Creek, down in the
bottom, on the left Of Gusts Lees
command, it moved up to the right
where Fitz Lees cavalry was. General
Wise left his horses and orderlies with
the horses Of the staff at his first posi-
ton. How calamity the Wise brigade
acted on this occasion is best told in
the report made by General Fitzhugh
Lee at the time. when he paid high
tribute to the gallantry Of General Wise
and his men. This is matter of record.
Seeing we would have to continue the.
retreat, General Wise sent me down
the line to the left of Gusts Lee to
bring up his horses. went and got the
horses, and was returning to my bri-
gade when the enemy attacked Custis
Lee in such force that his men gave
way, and the enemy rushed in between
me and my brigade, where they planted
batteries and raked every inch Of ground
between me and the position held by
Wise's brigade.
l could see my brigade still resist
ing the enemy. My only safety was
to make for the Appomattox river,
which | did. On my way there SO hot
was the fire from the batteries that
all the couriers and orderlies deserted
me and jumped from their horses,
taking refuge in rayines. l con-
tinued on, riding my own horse
and leading General Wise's, with his
blankets and coat and saddle-bsgs, I'M
til reached the Appomattox, which
swan. Going over the field. found
Mr.. Frank johnson, Of the Richmond
Light Infantry Blues. Of Wise's bri-