The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1895-07-10
SARGE PLUNKETT.
A Letter From a Comrade of the Dead
Soldier.
atlanta Constitution.

have been a public acknowledgement
to those who SO kindly sent in dona-
tions to put up stone above the
grave.
The delay has put into my hands
the full particulars and leaves no doubt
as to the occupant of the grave. Yes
terday there came letter to the Con-
stitution office, which J. give below and
which explains itself :
"Taylor's Greek, Ga, June r.
Editor Constitution: On or about
Decoration Day I received slip, sent
me by friend, clipped from the Con-
stitution, containing Plunkett' s letter,
trying to find the friends of a dead
confederate soldier.
"The soldiers name is Jacob B.
Wheeler; his command was Company
D, Fifth Georgia cavalry his home
was in Liberty county. He has one
sister, now living at Johnston's Sta
tion, Ga. As I believe [ am the only
one that can give you a true account
of the last day of Mr.. Wheel 5 lite,
will make few statements Tor the
benefit of those kind friends and la
dies who have his grave for a pet
grave. It is noble grave for a pet,
because there is noble patriot boy
that lies beneath it, under those small
pines at the corner of the field. Yes,
noble, because he died in your defense
as brave as ever wore the gray or ever
met the blue.
"On returning to the army from
Stonewall hospital, in Alabama, to
Griffin, Ca, in August 1864, was in
formed that the cavalry had left in the
direction Of Tennessee and that Cap.
tain Wigs was then in command of all
returning soldiers. I reported to him
for duty between Griffin and Flat
Shoals. After gathering force enough
we commenced picketing and scouting
around Atlanta and found that the
wagon trains and foraging bands Of
the enemy were stripping the fields
and country of all they could get on
Shoal River and leaving that country
in distressed. circumstances. So Cap
tain Wiggs thought he would take his
little band and march up the river and
teach them lesson, which he did. |
can never forget that warm day in Au-
gust and the night before.
"About 3 clock the day before the
fight the bugle sounded for the COM
mand to assemble, to form into COM
panies and make preparations to
march. Mr. Parker was appointed
captain Of our company. Hewas from
Roswell, GA. l was appointed order
ly sergeant. Jacob Wheeler, Mr..
Smith and Mr.. Baggs were all that 1
was personally acqua. led with in our
company. Some very small boys were
with us from Roswell. They were as
brave as heroes and fought like men.
Starting from camp as soon as we could
get ready we marched to Flat Shoals
some time after nightfall; we crossed
the bridge, halted to rest and eat sup
per, such as we had in our haversacks.
After taking some rest we marched up
the main road until We came to a
church. It was then very late and
we, being very weary, took another
rest. The preparation Of our pallet
was only to find smooth place and as
we thought we were on holy ground
we offered silent prayer to the giver
of all good and thought of loved ones
far away. Soon we were side by side
fast asleep and well know that was
the last little rest that Jacob Wheeler
enjoyed before he died. We were
soon on the march again, up the same
road, until we came to turnout to
the left. It must have been a private
road. We were ordered to remain
there until 9 o'clock and then advance
up that road ready for action at any
moment. We were supplied with four
cavalrymen as an advance guard. At
9 o'clock we marched up the road and
passed one plantation on the left with
out being disturbed. After passing
on for some distance all at once, as
quick as thought, a volley was poured
into our advance guard. That was the
commencement of the days fight. We
were marching by twos, close behind
the advance guard. The balls passed
above us and only one guard was
wounded. As soon as I could form
the company front into line, Jacob
Wheeler on my left, we were ordered
to charge, which was obeyed. When
within few yards one volley by COM
mand routed their pickets. Making a
right turn We fought through the
woods for some distance. A small
stream ran through these woods and
crossed the road. Over this stream,
in a corn6eld, were Sherman 8 wagons
loading with corn. Near the corner
of this field Jacob Wheeler died in the
thickest of the fight. After the bat
tie was over and knowing that Wheel
er was in the enemy's lines we were
compelled to leave him. Passing by
DR.. Fowler's house, I saw the Doctor
myself, and requested him to have
Wheeler buried. He promised faith
fully that he would have it attended
to. was satisfied that it was done.
I also gave him the initials of Mr..
Wheeler's name. I am glad that
Plunkett has suggested plan to raise
a monument to his memory and L
forward my contribution-50 cents
to Mr.. Hemphill to-day. Hoping
these few remarks will be of interest
to some of your readers, [ remain,
yours truly,
"JoHN 4. MARTIN. "
I would say to those who so kindly
sent in donations to this cause that
the matter is now in the hands of a
society of ladies', called the j. B.
Wheeler Memorial Society. Mr..
Hemphill turned over the money he
had received to these ladies, amount
ing, I think, to $3.50. The ladies de-
cided to use this as a nucleus around
which to build a,larger a sum and then
to put up the stone in good Memorial
Day style some time in the near future.
Perhaps this will occur after crops are
laid by, or it may be delayed until
Memorial Day of next year. Anyhow,
the donators may rest assured that the
matter is in the best of hands and that
all of us appreciate the kind responses
received for the purpose. Mrs. DIR.