The record-union., 1898-10-10
THE TRENCHES WE'RE DUG.
How General Wheeler Taught Hi.
Soldiers a Lesson.

When the American line had fought
it's way to the top of the hills at Ell
Paso and San Juan and Caney Cen
eral Wheeler issued an order that every
command should dig trenches in prep
aration for the conflict that he knew
would break out again in the morning
But the soldiers had thrown away
most Of their trenching tools during
the fierce rifle charges, and as dark
ness fell upon the scene Of battle they
threw themselves upon the ground and
went to sleep from sheer exhaustion.
Adjutant Hood of the Rough Riders,
noting this condition of affairs, rode
over to General Wheeler's tent and in
formed the good old veteran that the
men were played out Wheeler at the
time was lying upon his cot more dead
than alive, but there was smile upon
his lips and his never-failing good hu-
NOR twinkling in his eyes, when Ad-
jutant Hood said:
General, I am afraid our men can't
dig the trenches"
What men?" asked the General.
THE cavalry division" said the Ad-
jutant.
General Wheeler sat up in bed and
began pulling on his boots.
Send me the man." he directed.
What man?" asked the Adjutant.
THE man who can't dig trenches"
But it is not one man; it is many
men. They are just played out"
But you can surely find one man
who says he can't dig the trench.
only want one. Go get him and bring
him to me-"
But there are
L don't care how many there are
Go get me one"
The Adjutant had never faced such
a man as Wheeler before, and he did
not know just what to make Of the
conversation. The little old General
was as smooth and suave and courte-
GUS as could be, and Hood had nothing
to do but ride back to the line. In
some way he managed to round UP a
colored trooper belonging to the Ninth
Cavalry, and brought him back to the
division headquarters. He stood look
ing sheepishly at the ground when
Wheeler addressed him.
Are you the man who says he can't
dig these trenches?" asked the General
The negros feet shuffled uneasily on
the ground.
Use one of 'em, boss, but there's
a.
Thet General stopped him, and walked
out of his tent
You can go to sleep now, my man,
and I'll go up and dig your trench for
you When the sun comes up to-mor-
row morning the Spaniards are going
| to open on us, and every man who
isn't protected is not only in danger of
| being killed, but will be unable to help
maintain our own position. The
trenches. have to be dug, and if you
are unable to dig yours I'll just go
out and do it for you. Where's your
pick?"
With the most businesslike air in the
world Wheeler slid into his coat and
turned toward the big cavalryrnan. The
latter's eyes opened as he saw the pro-
ceedings, and they began to bulge out
when the General motioned to him to
lead the way to his camp. For half a
minute his voice stuck in his throat,
and them he said:
Boss, you amt fit to dig no trenches
If they done got to be dug I'll just
naturally do it myself I'm dog tired
but that amt work for you
Wheeler stopped and looked at the
man with a flicker of amusement in
his eyes.
II know it isn't work for me to do"
he said, "but I'm going to need SOL
diers in the morning, and I'm going to
save your life if possible. Do you
think now that you can dig the
trench?'
The negro started up the hill without
pd 10
Adjutant Hood with a voice as pleasant
as sunshine in May.
He seems to have changed his
mind" he said Now you go find me
another man who can't dig the
trenches"
The Adjutant bowed and rode off.
He never came back. In the morning
the trenches were dug.-Atlanta Con-
c.fi