The National tribune., 1891-06-25
PERSONAL.

Edward Whelahan a soldier of Co. r, lat Conn.,
Cav. died June 3, at New Haven, Conn. Comrade
Whelahan was nearer to the head of the United
States Armies than any other man during the war,
not excepting Gen Rawiins, as he was Grants per-
sonal Orderly. When Gen. Grant rode out, WHEEL
ahan rode IS PAGES in his rear do the bidding OF
the great commander. If the General walked
Whelahan followed and guarded him. and il the
commander remained in his tent, the Orderly re-
manned close at hand ready for any summons. For
days and days he went without taking Off his
clothes, guarding Gen. Grant while the army was
in front Of Richmond. Whelahan was tall. pow
erfuIIy-bnilt man OF splendid military bearing. a
bold and skilful rider, a soldier Of recognized
bravery, and a faithful man. Grant selected him
from the ranks out Of the entire army for his body
guard. lie never tired Of defending the Generals
character, and he stOutly maintained that Grant
WAS not a drinking man during the war eff you
had chased Grant around as much as 1 have" he
used to say to anybody who referred to the charges
that have been made against the old commander,
you wOuldn't say there was anything the matter
with his habits"
Mai Eugene F. Weigel who was Adjutant- len
eral of the GAR. during Maj. Warmers adminis-
traiion, pays tribute to the memory of the late
Gen John Mcneil. whose obituary appeared in
last weeks issue Of our paper. Comrade Wegel
men ever lived than Gen. Mcneil. That his defeat
for City Auditor of ST. Louis a few years ago WAS
largely due to tho venomous attack of an opposi-
ton journal, which daily published the grossest
msstatements regarding the shooting of the oiti-
zens, or "bushwhackers," at Palmyra. COmrade
Weigel says that he was present some years ago
| when Gen. Lewis Merrill commander OF Merril's
Horse), who is now Major on the retired list Of
the Army, said. in speaking of the retaliatOFy
shooting OF what were then called the Palmyra
| bushwhackers," that Mcneil only Obeyed his SUI
periOr officers Merrill himselD orders in carrying
out that execution. When Merrill was asked by d
bystander il Mcneil could not have refused to carry
out those ORDERS Gen. Merrill emphaticaIly re-
marked: II he had should have soon put an
/ end to his (McNsil's) military career Comrade
weigel knowing these facts endeavOred to have
| Gen. Mcneil come out with u statement Of the
affair, but the Genera: replied. " l am now tOo.old
to be placed in the attitude Of apOlogizng for my
/ war record"
| AT the last monthly meeting Of the Union League
/ Club Of New York City, Charles c. Eddy of Roam.
| Oxe, Va who accompanied Gen. sherman ON hi.
march to the and through the Carolinas as tele
graEh operator and docipherer of pher dispatches
presented the club, through its President Chaun.
| eey Depew with the autograph dispatch in which
! Gen. sherman demanded the surrender Of Gen. Joe
Johnston's army near Raleigh, n O., April %, 1856
/ The dispatch reads:
have replies from Washington to my communf
i cation of April Ia. am instructed TO limit my
/ operations 10 your immediate command. and not
To attempt civic negotiations i therefore demand
the surrender Of your army On the Same terms rs