Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1898-10-13
sI.oo A YEAR.
Joe wheeler's Way.

ration 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 exhaust
ion. Adiutant Hood, Of the Rough
Riders, noting this condition Of affairs,
rode over TO General Wheeler's tent
and informed 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 a smile upon his lips, and
his neyer.iailing good humOr twink
ling in his eyes, when Adutant Hood
said.
General, sm afraid our men can't
dig the trenches"
What men ," asked the General.
The cavalry division" sad the
Adjutant.
General Wheeler sat up in bed and
began pulling on his boots.
"Send me the man, he directed.
What man?" asked the Adlutant,
The man who can't dig the
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 ar
a don't care how many there are,
90 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 cour-
teous as could be, and Hood had moth
ing 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 looking sheepishly at the ground,
when Wheeler addressed him.
"Are you the man who says he
can't dig these trenches2" asked the
General
The negro's feet shufled uneasily
on the ground.
Use one of EN-, boss, but there's
a"
The General stopped him. and
walked out Of his tent.
"You can 90 to sleep now, my man,
and I'll 80 up and dig your trench for
you. When the sun comes up to-
morrow 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 nm
able to help us maintain our own po-
sition. The trenches have TO be dug,
and if you are unable to dig yours,
I'll just 90 and do it for you. Where's
your pick2"
With the most business like air in
the world, Wheeler slid into his coat
and turned toward the big cavalry
man. The htters eyes opened as he
saw the proceedings, and they began
TO bulge out when the General mo-
toned to him to lead the way TO bis
camp For half minute his voice
stuck in his throat, and then he said:
BOSS, you amt ft to dig no trench
es. If they done got to be dug, I'll
just naturally do it myself I'm dog
tired, but that amt no work for you.
Wheeler stopped and looked at the
man with a flicker Of amusement in
his eyes.
81 know it isn't work for me to DO"
he said, "but am going to need SOL
diers in the morning, and ] am going
to save your life, if possible. Do you
think now that you can dig the
trench"
The negro started up the hill with
out a word. Then the General turned
to Adjutant Hood with voice as
pleasant az sunshine in May.
He seems 10 have changed bis
mind, he said. "Now you go find
me another man who can't dig the
trenches" "
The Adjutant bowed and rode of.
He never came back. In the morn
ing the trenches were dug.