Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-09-08
GEN. d. +. CHEATHANI.
Ar Interesting Sketch Of a Heroic
Life and Death.
r.or, he Na8AUills 4 0lsrtcdn, Sen. 8.

,asidence OF Felix CnedluAih, vi Oeu' d.
T Cbeatham, after painful and pro-
orred affection OF the heart, Will bring a
r,ora extended and a deeper sorrow than
,no death OF any Tennessean now living
,onld produce. During forty years, Gen.
Choatham had been prominent man in
tnis his native State. Beginning with the
oou m arms in the United States war in
1s i6 with Mexico, he has never ceased to
occupy position of prominence in the
minds OF the people OF Tennessee, lie
was essentially a Tennesseau. His rep
,,tation has never extended INTO the ma
tional arena, and has been from the first
m the last that of warrior. He has
lived his life out and now dies, without
obscnrIng or adding to his warriors re-
nnte by civic achievement or political
aasniration. His nature was to command.
Ass boy he governed the children OF his
"a hers household, obtaining their obedi-
once without effort or harsh words; at
school the same natural obedience was
accorded him, and as young man OF
deyelOped physical powers, the same IN
dnance was eminently the governing
toroe of his character. His nature then.
as in after life, was kind, and even gentle,
courageous, generous and honest. lie
was never quarrelsome, engaged seldom
in fights, mild and quiet as boy, as
youth and as man. He mas always been
GENIAL, agreeable, companionable. and
good, though not an obtrusive, talker.
with these essential characteristics 1t
was natural that be lett post Office posi-
ton under his father, the postmaster OF
Nashville. and was one of the first to re-
spond to a call for troops for the Mexican
war going as captain of the Nashville
Blues, of which be was already the first
lieutenant. The company lett Nashville
June 3, 1916, going by way of New
Orleans. They joined Gen. Taylor at
Camargo, participated in the battle of
Monterey Sept. 81 and %, and afterwards
ioned Gen. Scott at Vera Cruz, taking
part in the siege of that city, marching
from C0margO inland TO Tamplco where
they embarked for Vera Cruz, arriving
there March 8, 1S4S. Cbeatham entered
actively into the siege at once. 10 ms
cOmpany's services was in measure due
the appellation The Bloody First" be-
slowed upon the First Tennessee Regi-
ment Cheatham was afterwards at Cerro
GOrdO in Gen. Patters0n's division. HIS
appearance at this time was remarkable,
earning tor HIM the title of the ha1dsom-
est man in the army. He was strongly
built, alert and chivalrOus. He was care
full as to his personal appearance, with
out any approach co dandylsm. His treat
ment OF his men was humane, the per-
sonal love and admiration which became
so marked feature in the attitude OF his
men in the civil war being at this early
date matter of remark. No man under
him was ever heard to say an unkind
word OF him, in Mexico or during the four
VJoa ar ernIa nf the SfatQE He
fact beloved of everyone who knew his
sunny nature, he was respected for bis
bravery and feared for his lion-like reli-
ance upon obedience TO military discip-
line. At the city of JalaDa, thirty days
after leaving Cerro GOrdo, the term of his
company's service expired and be and his
men returned to Nashville June 3. 1S47,
after an absence of one year. The record
he had made in Mexico was recognized at
once and new regiment was raised
few weeks after his return to Nashville,
with which he returned Immediately to
Mexico. His second campaign was de-
void Of prominent results, his regiment
being in camp near the City of Mexico,
on the battlefield of Malero del Rey,
nearly a year in comparative inactivity.
While here the treaty between the gov
ernments was signed and peace re-estab-
lshed. Cheatham was then only 81 years
of age, having been born in Nashville in
1897. He spent the next four years in
California, returning 10 Nashville
4 in 1858. From this period until the
A breaking out of the civil war Cheatham
4 was farmer, his next love to an army
& life.
& At the beginning of the civil war. Gov.
8 Harris engaged Cheatham for the State
Il in organizing the Quartermaster's De-
III n n, vuh fOh ha dauofnrNod n nd
s tnued to show great aptitude and judg-
ment, and was shortly afterward APP
pointed Brigadier General. He went into
& camp near Union City, West Tennessee,
and his first engagement was the battle
4ot Belmont. During the war he was
e The Great Infantry Man." having
s under him at different times 49, 900 Ten
81 nesseans.
81 Cbeaham is mentioned fourteen times
81 IN "Lindsley's Military Annals of Ten
nessee," just issued. AS soldier, he
was described by Federal officer who
saw for himself. as being capable OF a
charge with most perfect line, the
steadiest and most brilliant he saw dur
lg tho war, and be concluded in such a
clarge at the battle of Perryville that
Cneaham's division must have been
regulars, and the pick of the Confederate
army, and it is claimed by the best
soldleTs IN Cheatham's division that at
CllcEamauga was the first and last time
ue enemy ever saw the back OF Cheat
MANS Tennesseans in an engagement,
anu THIS was when Thomas entire corps,
ana several batteries opened on the de-
soFd division. After this battle Cheat
ANS division was broken up, because 1t
ds composed entirely of Tennesseans,
1u ID battle its losses We're too severe
VI any State to sustain. The order, how
er' caused deep and loud discomfort.
Duieaonlng Dalton the feeling among the
ANUS regiments and briRades that COM
o'eu Caeatham's division became so in
e"se on the subject of a reunion or the
moo s.'sollshment OF the division that a
~. complimentary general order was
oaaga oy Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, com
Huug the division to be formed as OF
ro MS feeling received kind OF halo
on he events Of Missionary Ridge and
leeIeat during that battle. Every point
"uch brigade OF the old divisiOn was
nG (S y was successfully held to the last,
nd III Iue retreat the night Of the battle,
rivs'iue next day, several brigades Of the
hanVWn drlited together, and joined
IoI 'eYes with MARS Frank" Many OF
biss,ls saw the hand Of Providence in
esi7'auaahge chance, and their demand for
no l"uon was made, ana the meeting Of
M tbo Isaqes N camp at Dalton was one
bI fbo ouohmest occasions In the history
acb ar They cheered and embraced
'bea,snef with feeling, and when Gen.
othorpa,h appeared among them they
-isIMeu around him with shouts OF Joy.
gojd quected, he took from his pocket
soiu coin, and tossing II in the air. while
nn Eyes rained tears, exclaimed. "Boys.
'u are AS good no thotpJ In anaai,in,, 81