The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-07-21
a RoosFER IN THE RANKS.
Went Through the War Was Captured.
Imprisoned and Exchanged.

Went Through the War, Was Captured,
Imprisoned and Exchanged.
Philadelphia Times: Since So much is
being written just now Of the mascols on
board the various battleships of our
navy. special interest may be felt in an
historic game cock that followed the for
turnes Of cartain southern regiment
during three years service in the war.
This historic rooster was known to his
regiment, the Third Tennessee, by the
sobrlquet Of Jake" though his full
name was Jake Donelson, and he was
the property OF Jerome B. MeCanlesS,
first Lieutenant OF Company II. Jake
iGined the company at Camp Cheathnm.
May o. 1861. and his admission cost
Lieut.. McCandlesS a sllber dime. His
intended fate was the messpot, hut when
his Attenuated form had rounded It's
shape Il was seen that he was no ordi-
nary rooster. In point Of fact he was
game and a born fighter, and the regi-
ment was glad to OFFER him enlistment
and Immunity from every danger save,
Of course. the enemy's bullets.
From that day he became the pet Of
his immediate commanding officer md
was the pride Of the regiment. Many n
day In camp he made sport with rival
from some mess coop. and on the march
he found a comfortable perch on the
knapsack Of some accommodating prf-
waite; or. II the tramp WINS long me,
he took the seat OF honor with the driver
OF the baggage wagon.
From Cheatham he went with his
company to Camp Tr0usinle, Bowling
Green. Russellvllle and to Fort Donel-
son. Here. during the sieEe, ne was 70
be seen on the brenstworks, and at fire.
quent intervals gave vent to lusiy crows
or defiance 10 tho enemy and OF encour-
agement to the besieged. Many Of the
company begged that he be removed
from so dangerous : position, but the
lieutenant refused. for he knew how
Jake would pine II he could not share
the dangers OF his comrades, When
there was the ehrlek OF n shell Jake
sounded that low cultural warning 80
common to chcltenkInd, and would hug
close 10 the hreaslwCrks.
At the surrender he fen In with his
company and made the long trin To Chi
cago without sDcclal Incident UNTIL
marching through ,he cts stree's,where
the nopulacs lines the sidewalks and
ienred a, tho ragged "Rehs," he mount
81 his masters lnnpsack and gave the
old familiar k-a-joodlc-dOo." as n
cheer In the downlielrtcd boys. II was
the signal for the regiment to give the
old rebel yell and give II they ala as
only brave and unconquered hearts
could.
In Camp Douglas prison Jake found 4
lonely. md, by a happy Thought. took
20 himself a. mate. MADAME Hon" and
from this union resulted three sturdy
sons, who soon strutted about In honest
pride under tho respective names OF
'Jef' Davis" "SionUwall jackson" and
"General Morgan" ON being discharged
from prison these three, with Jakc,went
with the boys down the river TO Vlcks-
burg, where ihcy were exchanged; and
here the family was broken np. General
Morgan going with Lieutenant McCnn-
less's brother JEFF Davis with win
Everly to Pulaski and Sionewlll Jack
son with Colonel Harvey Walker to
Lynnvlle.
Jake was mustered out and went to
Corncrsyllle, Tenn, whore his fame had
preceded him; and citizens came for
miles 10 SEQ and welcome the old war
rlor. Here. In 1864, he died suddenly,and
ON the following day, incnsod IN a hand
some clSket and attended by many old
friends, he was buried.