The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-09-18
Gen. Wheeler's Methods.


When the American line had fought its
way TO the top of the hills at FL Paso
and San Juan and Caney. General Wheel
er issued an order that every command
should dig trenches In preparation 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 strugglersdCfA
tools during the fierce charges. and as
darkness fell upon the scene OF battle they
threw themselves upon the ground and
went 10 sleep from sheer exhaustion. 'Ad-
jutant Hood. of the Rough Riders. noting
this condition Of ffaairs. rode over 10
General Wheeier's tent and Informed the
good old veteran that the men were
played out. Wheeler at the time was iy-
ing upon his cot more dead than alive.
but there was a 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 Adju-
tant.
General Wheeler sat upon in bed and
began pulling on his boots.
Send me the man." he directed
What MANI" asked the Adjutant.
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 are"
Il 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 CONVEX
sation The little old General was as
smooth and suave and courteous as could
be, and Hood had nothing to do but ride
back to his line. In some way he managed
10 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 trenches?" asked the General
The negro's feet shufled uneasily In 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
I'll go up and dig your trench for you.
When the sun comes up tomorrow morn
ing 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 70 be
dug, and II you are unable 10 dig yours.
I'll just go and do IL for YOU Where's
your pick?"
With the most business-like air in the
world, Wheeler slid into his coat and turn
ed toward the big cavalryman. The lat
ter's eyes opened as he saw the pro-
ceedings, and they began 10 bulge out
when the General mOtioned 10 him 10 lead
the way to his camp For half a minute
hisvoice stuck in his throat, and then he
said:
Boss. you amt fit TO dig no trenches
II they done got 10 be dug. I'll just nat
urally do II 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 II isn't work for me 10 do" he
said, "but I'm going to need soldiers 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 without
a word. Then the General turned to Ad-
jutant Hood with a voice as pleasant as
sunshine in May.
He seems to have changed his mind"
he said. Now. you so find me another
man who can't dig the trenches"
The AdIutant bowed and rode of. He
never came back. In the morning the
trenches were dug-Atlanta Constitution.