The times., 1898-04-24

ing the numerous battles in which Gen.
Wheeler engaged eight of his staff Off
GERS were killed. thirtY-two wounded,
sixteen horses were killed under him and
he was himself three times wounded.
Gen. Basil w. Dukes history of Nor
gans command. pages 34i and 345. says:
Gen. Wheeler possessed in an emf
nent degree all of the attributes of the
gentleman. He was as brave as Pala-
din, just heightened. and exceedingly
courageous, full of fire and enterprise.
vigilant and energetic, thoroughly in
structed in the duties of his profession
and perfectly conyersant with the elab-
oraJe details of organization and military
business"
Gen. Duke also speaks of 'his eminent
fitness as the commander of a large body
of cavalry, permanently attached to the
army
Gems Chalmers. Withers and Bragg in
their reports speak in the highest terms
of his gallantry at Shiloh. Polk's. Kirby
Smiths and Bragg's reports speak of his
very distinguished services at Perryville
and the Kentucky campaign. Bragg and
jefferson Davis of his services at Muir
freesboro and Chickamauga; Gems.
Johnson Hood and Hardee and Presi-
dent Davis of his operations in the many
battles of the Georgia and Carolina
campaign. and when it was proposed to
transfer Gen. Wheeler Gen. Johnston
telegraphed to President Davis:
Gen. Wheeler is necessary to the eff
cheney Of the cavalry of the West
But to be brief. most of the hundred or
more volumes of the official records of
the war recently published by the Gov
ernment are replete with mention of his
valor. skill and successful operations.
Gen. Chalmers report of Shiloh COM
mends his gallantry in leading charge
and bearing the colors of his command.
Mai. Gen. Wfthers's report says: He
proved himself worthy of all trust and
confidence. gallant commander and an
accomplished soldier.
Bragg's report of Murfreesboro COIN
mends his skill and gallantry and says:
Gen. Wheeler was pre-eminently distin
guished throughout the action well as
for a month previous, in many successful
conflicts with the enemy
Gen. Bragg also recommended Gen.
Wheeler's promotion, and ascribed to his
gallant lead the just enhancement of the
reputation of the cavalry.
Gen Hood in his Advance and Re
treat, page 2O2, says: 1T becomes my
duty as well as pleasure to make ac-
Acknowledgements of the valuable services
: of the cavalry of the Army of Tennessee,
during my operations in Georgia and Ala
bama. l am confident that when the his
Wheeler and his command will occupy a
high position.
In referring TO his military conduct
during Sherman's march 10 the sea, Pres
. ident Davis's book, page 5Tl, says that
Gen. Wheeler displayed "a dash. activity,
! vigilance and consummate skill which
justly entitled him TO a prominent place
on the roll of great cavalry leaders. By
his indomitable energy. operating on all
sides of Sherman's columns. he was en-
abled to keep the Government and COM
manders of our troops advised of the
enemy's movements. and by preventing
foraging parties from leaving the main
body, he saved from spoliation all but a
narrow tract of country, and from the
torch millions worth of property which
would otherwise have been certainly con-
sumed.'
And Gen. Robert E. Lee, in speaking OF
the most noted commanders said:
The two ablest cavalry officers which
the war developed were Gen. Stewart. o1
Virginia, and Gen. Joseph Wheeler. OF
Cne Army of the Tennessee
The same devotion TO duty that ne dis
played in war dominates his course IT
Z Congress. 1t is marvellous with his con
stant work, how he finds time to stor,
his mind with the immense amount o
data on every public measure, for hi.
correspondence is simply enormous. anC
every duty is thoroughly and most con
scienuously performed, and to exten,
kindness and courtesy, gives him pleas
ure.
He is one of the broadest minded of oul
legislators and he is quite as much OF
favorite with the Federal veterans a.
with his own soldiers. He is regarded a:
a standard authority on questions relat
ing TO the Army and to tariff and curren
cy legislation.