The times., 1899-03-12
THE TRUE STORY OF
WHEELER At SANTIAGO
Last to Land, But First to
Strike the Foe.
This Apparently Angered Lawton,
Who Should Have Acted.
Since He Prevented a Disgrnceful
Retrcut .FightinG Joe" Has Been
Pursucd by Envy and Jealousy.

This paper was one OF first to recon-
mend the appointment of General Wheeler
a. major general in the army. and this
appointment and that of Dewey TO the
Asistic Squadron certainly showed excel
lent judgment on the part of President
Mckinley. The reason for advocating Cen
eral Wheeler's appointment was not based
so much upon personal knowledge of
him as upon his general record and repu-
iation for activity. courage. and success
in battle and general good judgment and
experience with regard TO military mat
Iers. Generals Lee, Johnston, Bragg,
I4srdee. and Hood were all emphatic IN
speaking of his great superiority as
cavalry officer and both General Johnston
and General Sherman had the highest pos
sible opinion OF his military judgment and
skin. Mr.. Reed emphasized the opinion Of
The country as 10 his activity when he
said that General Wheeler did not stay in
one place long enough for the Almighty
10 put his thumb on him"
During the last two months The Times
has urged that General Wheeler should
be retained as a major general and sent
10 Manila. The whole country would ap-
prove OF such action II has lately deveI-
oped that certain officers, while speaking
openly in high terms of General Wheeler
have taken a very different course in pri-
Sate talks with officers OF the War Depart
ment, ana il may be that they have sue
Ceeded in creating prejudice against Gen
eral Wheeler which accounts for the hesi-
tation Of the President to give him mill
tary service. We have examined the
statements which seek to disparage Cen
eraI Wheeler so far as they have deyel-
oped, and are satisfied that they are alb
solutely untrue and without foundation
Discrimination Begun.
Il seems that General Lawtons division
and General Bates Independent brigade
we're given the honor of preceding General
Wheeler in landing in Cuba A literal
compliance with this arrangement would
not have enabled General Wheeler to get
his men ashore earlier than June "a Early
on the morning of the 22d fleet OF naval
boats towed by naphtha launches. was
placed at Lawton's disposal which enabled
him TO promptly land his entire division
nearly 5000 strong. He was ordered hy
General Shafter 10 move forward 10 ST.
honey. which was occupied by the Spanish
general, Linares. BY extraordinary efforts
General Wheeler succeeded in getting a
part OF his command ashore on the evening
OF the 22d and on the morning of the 23d
About II o'clock that morning the 23d
General Shafter sent for General Wheeler.
expressed his anxiety at not having heard
from Lswton, and ordered Wheeler to take
ahe troops which he had succeeded in land
ing and proceed 10 the immediate vicinity
OF siboney and throw forward his pickets
10 that place. To expedite this movement
General shafter ordered the quartermaster
10 furnish General Wheeler with horses
Tor his Hoichkiss guns and dynamite gun,
ana Tor himself and staff his own horses
sun Deing on the ships. General Wheeler's
troops on shore consisted of 500 men under
Colonel Wood, and 46i OF the First and
Ienth Cavalry. With all the energy pos