The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-09-13
GENERAL wHEELERs METHODS,


 GENERAL WHEELER'S METHODS. When the American line had fought it's way to the top of the hills at Fl Paso and San Juan and Caney, General 1 Wheeler issued an order that every | command should dig trenches in prepa ration 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 rife charges, and as darkness fell upon the scene of battle they threw 1 themselves upon the ground and went to sleep from sheer exhaustion. Adju- tant Hood, of the Rough Riders, noting this condition of affairs, rode over to General 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 a smile upon his lips, and his never-failing good humor twinkling in his eyes, when Adjutant Hood said: General, I am afraid our men can't | dig the trenches | What men?" asked the general.
 "The cavalry division" said the ad- | jutant.
 | began pulling on his boots. 1 Send me the man." he directed.
 What man?" asked the adjutant.
 ''The man who can't dig the trench es''
 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. I only want one. Go get him and bring | him to me"
 "But there are"
 q 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 conver- sation. The little old general was as smooth and suave and courteous as l 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 cavalry, and brought him back to the division l headquarters. He stood looking sheep- 1 ishly at the ground, when Wheeler ad- dressed him.
 Are you the man who says he can't dig these trenches?' asked the general.
 The negro's feet shuffled uneasily in the ground.
 ''Tse 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 to-mor- | i,,er a r1io rd q upn O 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 if you are unable to dig yours, I'll just go and do it for you. Where's your pick?"
 With the most business-like air in the l world. Wheeler slid into his coat and turned toward the big oavalryman The latter's eyes opened as he saw the proceedings and they began to bulge out when the general motioned to him to lead the way to his camp For half a minute his voice stuck in his throat and then he said:
 Boss, you ain't fit to dig no trenches If they done got to be dug I'll just nat urally do it myself. I'm dog tired but that ain't no work for you'
 Wheeler stopped and looked at the man with flicker of amusement in his eyes.
 "I know it isn't work for me to do,' he said but am going to need sol diers in the morning, and I am going to save your life, if possible. Do you think now that you can dig thf trench?'
 The negro started up the hill with out a word. Then the general turned tc Adiuthnt Hood with voice as pleas. ant as sunshine in May.
 "Ee seems to have changed hi: mind" he said. Now you go find me another man who can't dig the trench. es''
 The adjutant bowed and rode off. Ht never came back. In the morning tho trenches were dug.--Atlanta Constitu- tion.