Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-11-24

favored but for the reason that he couldn'
keep out Of a FUSS" and lived in an err
full of provocation TO lively minded youn,
fellows wearied with humdrum; and thel
be was minister's son, born to the vice o
erraticism, if not to that of genius. Whea
was Christian, a man of culture and sen
timent, with an abundance of pride ant
Jealous self respect thrownin. The Tiger
we're toughs from the toughest of all rem
dezvouses for hard characters, the New
Orleans levees. How the Tigers and tn,
lamb came 20 take the warpath together
is strange story
Col. Chatham Roberdeau Wheat wa.
born a Virginia cavalier, an +. +. V. 81
Huguenot blood, and was bred to manhood
ii that nursery ground of soldiers, the state
cf Tennessee. His grandfather on hi.
mothers side was that Gen. Roberdeau. Of
Philadelphia, who footed Continental bfils
To the tune Of thousands, raised troops and
led them, built forts and defended them
opened lead mines to manufacture bullets
and put in good work generally in aid Of
revolution.
The streak of the old patriots blood
that fell TO Bob took fire when the Mexi.
can war broke out, and he was the first re.
cruit on the roll at Memphis, where he was
law student Just ont of his teens.
Nheat's father was responsible for the
milder elements of the young mans ma.
ture. He was rector Of Christ church at
Nashville, and within few hours after
the call TO arms reached the Mississippi
valley, two war letters were travelling in
opposite directions over the stage route
between Memphis and Nashville. One let.
Ter was from the peace loving rector to the
young law student, saying in effect: My
son, don't be carried off your feet by the
war news. Wait awhile, and if more troops
are really needed, and | think it your duty
10 volunteer you may 60 But grid your
lolns in patience until that hour comes.
This was the letter that passed the
other on its way to the rectory in Nash.
Vile; Dear PA chip of the old block
] knew you would be ashamed of me if |
did not volunteer as soon as the call came.
My name | am proud to say is the very
first onthe list have been unanimously
elected second lieutenant Of a company of
cavalry. Please send Jim by some careful
handn
The Jim asked for was a highly trained
blooded horse, the pride and pet of the
family, and he was soon making PAGES to-
ward Memphis ON the way TO the Rio
Grande, Wheat served in the Tennessee
Mounted volunteers in Gen. Taylor's bat
ties and afterward organized and led Gen
scott's bodyguard. His men were well
mounted, deliberately uniformed and
equipped and well up in the ornamental
work Of headquarters nonsense, and per
haps the young soldier lived too much
amid wars dazzling splendor and thought
that was the whole of IT,
The scattering of the volunteers after
peace was declared landed hosts Of them
IN New Orleans, where the "Jingon spirit
was always up against our southern neigh
bos, Wheat settled there and quickly
made fame as a criminal lawyer. He was
politics, and was a success as a stump
orator, but yet he was not happy. At any
rate he couldn't See war flag floating on
the broad surface of the earth but he must
get behind or in front of it,
HIS first adventure as a foreign com
oatant was with the Spanish-American
patriot Lopez, in the Cuban invasion of
49, Lopez was an exiled Spanard,
Whom the Cuban revolutionists had won
70 their cause, and raised two expeditions
~ the United States to invade the little
STAND and stand by the insurgent natives.
Wheat was leader of the New Orleans |
contingent and sailed from that port with |
several hundred men. He had secret
vluers from Lopez, and on opening them
az sea found directions to meet Lopez at a |
certain point and proceed to Cuba.
wheat summoned his men, and in stir |
ring speech told them that they must at |
olce throw off all disguise, haul down the |
lars and stripes, and like Hagar in the |
wilderness, when cast off from the protec-
aoi q Abraham, call upon the Almighty |
~ denver them from peril and distress.
while the flag was lowered he hailed the
1,Owa as Soldiers Of the liberating army
N W. Ouoa" closing with the challenge; |
D9es any one doubt the propriety of our
Undertaking! Does any one fear to gofor-
>NMNsM