The age-herald., 1898-08-18
REAL HERO
 OF SANTIAGO Maj ,-Gen Wheeler Received an Ovation in Washington WAS KISSED BY GENERAL LIE When the Two Old Confederates Met in Nations Capitol.  WHEELER TALKS { HE CAMPAIGN ESs
 IS The Spirit a4l g .'rase of His Men
 WS Excellent.
 FS
 ES = SPOKE $ lEsTLY OF HIS PART
 Sot Fighting Around Santiago Has Con- vinced the World of the Valor and Hardihood of American Troop
 ers-Not Coming Home.
Special Dispatch to The Age-Herald.
 BY ARCHIBALD ". BUTT.

Washington, Aug. 17.-General Wheeler will not go to Alabama at this time. He will take no furlough between this time and the time when he hands his resigna- ton to the president. He leaves tonight for Monauk Point, where he has been put in command of the camp. The president told him to use his discretion in everything and to spare no expense in looking after the comfort of his men. His reception in Washington was second only to that given to Hobson and in official circles 1t was even greater, for the oldest and the young est army officer has a reverence and veneration for General Wheeler that Is touching and beautiful.
 He went in and out among them today seemingly oblivious to the fact that by tacit consent he Is looked upon as the hero of Santiago. From the president down he received an ovation. Every one knew the little figure almost spider-lke in it's effect, but everyone, whether they knew him or not, rushed across the street to shake his hand and pay him some deserved compli- ment. They all seem to think he belonged to them. There was no fear of offending him. All seelGed to think he would un- derstand and he did, too.
 None Too Lowiy
 There was none so lowly he did not an- swer and chat with pleasantly. One little boy stopped him while he was in converse tion with the secretary of war, as the two were going to lunch and, apologzing. asked him for his autograph, saying that he had been looking for him all day. The general stopped, and, taking fountain pen from the youngster, said "I am never too busy to do favor for the little American boy" One of the most pathetic incidents of this morning in the war department, was when he and General Lee met.
 The meeting took place in front of Gen. eral Corbns office, when the latter and Secretary Alger were present Both gen. erals started one to the other holding out their hands. As they met General Lee drew the mite of a figure to his own and, stooping down, kissed his friend with ten derness and respect. Their arms went around one another, and for a moment there was almost an oppressive silence.
 Secretary Alger turned away his head and the messenger at the door said that Mister Secretary must have got something in his eye, for he used his handkerchief. General Wheeler said that he did not know when he could get south, but would go as soon as it were possible to do so.
 When I asked him about entering the campaign, he said In his usual jerky way: Tt don't make much matter about that just now. l guess my people will take care of my interest, if have to stay here.'
 He looks in splendid health. The presi- dent said to him that he thought one more campaign like that at Santiago would act on him as the spring of perpetual youth. He looks little thinner than when he left but in orther respects much better than when he donned Uncle Sam's uniform.
 Gen. Wheeier's Part
 The general speaks very modestly about his part in the Santiago campaign, in fact, not talking about himself at all and &C., cepting congratulations with extreme mod Dat !, fx,x tx txt.rl of the American army, and says that he thinks 1t has demonstrated that we can in this country raise an army in very short time capable of contending against the army of any nation on earth The spirit and courage of the men, he says, is in- domitabe. and with drill and training. they become the best soldiers that can be con- ceived of.
 The general said that when he first went to battle the great difference between the conditions surrounding the fight now and those surrounding the great battles of the war impressed him strongly. During the war" he said, i've fought at close range and there was tremendous noise ands smoke. In this war the range of fire, was eight hundred yards or more. Thee was very little noise and the use of smokeless powder disposed. Of the smoke of battle. It seems strange to me when the lighting first began not being able to see any smoke, hearing none of the ordinary noise and 
 ably the first man struck in the fight.
 Agony of Death
 "He was near me apd went to him just as he had fallen and could see no mark where he had been struck. Yet he was in the last agony of death and died in a few minutes, almost instantly. had heard no noise I had seen nothing and could not even see the wound on him, and yet he was there dying. We united his belt and there was just the least hole where the ball had gone right through his body. The range ef fire is so great with the modern guns that the distance seems to make little diff ference in the matter of danger There is. no such thing as seeking safety in the rear of the line of fire. When we got up to within five hundred yards, why the whole army was exposed to the fire those in the rear being in danger as well as those for ward"