The Elbert County tribune., 1898-11-24
Gen. wheelsr.. Method..

W hth Aht <Ahiti ituu liut nAu lohSh
It's way to the top OF the hills Mt El
Paso and San Juan and Caney. General
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 morn
Ing. But the soldiers had thrown away
most OF their trenching tools during
the herce rifle charges, and as darkness
fell upon the scene OF battle they threw
themselves upon the ground and went
to sleep from sheer exhaustion. AdJu
,ant Hood of the Rough Riders. noting
this condition OF affairs, rode over to
Gen. 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 smile upon his
lips. and his never-failing good humor
twinkling in his eyes. when Adjutant
Hood said:
General, am afraid our men can't
dig the trenches"
What men?" asked the general.
The cavalry DIVISION" said the ad-
iutant.
'Nht " hfcitI sat UP III bcu anu bt-
gan pulling on his boots.
Send me the man." he directed.
What mani" asked the adjutant.
THE man who can't dig the trench
es."
But II 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
II don't care how many there are.
90 get me one"
The adjutant had never faced such
man as Wheeler before. and he did
not know Just what to make OF the con-
versation. The little old general was
rs smooth and snave and courteous as
could be, and Hood had nothing TO do
but ride back to the line. In some
way he managed to round up colored
trooper belonging to the Ninth cavai-
ry. and brought him back to the divi-
sion headquarters. lie stood looking
sheepishly nt the ground, when Wheel
er addressed him.
Are you the man who says he can't
dig these trenches?" asked the gem
eral.
The negro's feet shufied uneasiiy on
The ground.
Use one of 'em. boss. but there's
A."
The general stopped him and walked
out OF his tent.
you can go to sleep now, my man.
and III go and dig your trench for you.
When the sun comes up tomorrow
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 us
maintain our own position. The
trenches have TO be dug. and II you
are unable to dig yours. I'll just go
and dig yours for you. Where's your
pIck?"
With the most businesslike air In the
world Wheeler slid into his coat and
turned toward the big cavalryman. The
latter's eyes opened as he saw the pro-
seeding. and they began to bulge out
when the general motioned him to lead
the way to his camp. For a minute
his voice stuck in his throat. and then
be said:
Boss. you amt at to dig no trench
IS. II they done got TO be dug, I'll
Just naturally do II myself. I'm dog
tired. but that amt no work for you"
Wheeler stopped and looked at the
man with flicker OF amusement In his
ayes
Il know II isn't work for me to do"
he said. but I am going to need SOL
iiers in the morning. and l am going
70 save your life. II possible. Do you
think now that you can dig the
lrench?"
The negro started up the hill without
a word. Then the general turned to
Adjutant Wood with voice as pleas
ant as sunshine In May.
He seems 10 have changed his
mind" he said. Now. you go find me
another man who can't dig the trench
es."
The adjutant bowed and rode off. He
never came back. In the morning the
trenches we're dug.-Atlanta Constitu-
Ion.