The Washington times., 1903-08-16
ONE TIME WHEN
WHEELER RAN

to add some interesting details
to a story about himself, one that has
no doubt often recalled to him that
familiar quotation, BE not forgetful to
entertain strangers etc, had he been
present in a military circle few
evenings ago. when an anecdote of his
service in the Confederacy was told,
says the New York Tribune"
Shortly before the close of the civil
war. in February, 1865. after Sherman
had captured Atlanta and made his
famous march to the sea, after Fort
McAllister had fallen, and the city
which it had defended, Savannah, had
been turned over to Sherman's army,
Generals Wheeler and Wade Hampton
were feeling sore over the reverses
as they sat on their horses, in front of
their commands, contemplating that,
while they had fought with logged
courage. the war was nearly at an end.
they felt that they must not give up
until they had been driven to 1.-The last
ditch" Wheeler's face suddenly bright
ened up, and he suggested a scheme to
Hampton which the latter assented to
after few moments reflection, for he
realized that should Wheeler be taken
prisoner it might be the end of his
promising career. The proposition was
that Wheeler, in disguise, and some
trusty soldier should cross the Peedee
River and make a scout within the
Federal lines.
The volunteer to go with Wheeler was
''Jim" Nance, the bugler of the Fourth
Tennessee Cavalry, a daring and trust
worthy fellow. Wheeler doffed his uni
form and put on a private's coat, and
then the two swan the river to an
island about two hundred yards from
the bank Then, after resting few
minutes, they were joined by another
private of the Tennessee regiment, ard
the three started to the opposite bank
and landed on the shore in drenched
clothing and well-nigh exhausted from
swimming against the current. 1t then
occurred TO Nance that there was a
chance of all getting caught, and If
Wheeler shold be recognized their
game would be up Nance asked his
general what they should do in case of
capture, when Wheeler replied, Get
-, h.
under the circumstances"
But said Nance. lin case we should
be captured, If they found you 10 he
General Wheeler they'd watch US so
close we wouldn't have any chance TO
get away. Why not you assume another
manner" The suggestion was agreed to,
and Wheeler said "All right, then; Sam
Johnson I'll be for the present"
Then, piunging into the woods which
skirted the stream, they went on for
some distance before reaching the road.
and then suddenly came In sight of q
house, when Wheeler said: Nov, boys,
I'll stand picket in the road, while you
go to the house and see If you can scare
up some dry clothing for u.s.
No difficulty was experienced, for the
occupants of the house were strong Sc
cessionists, and when the party had put
themselves into dry clothes they re-
ceived as hearty a welcome as could be
given to friends and defenders. They
were RECALLED with an excellent supper,
after which the young women--for the
men felix's had gone TO the war-urged
them into the parlor. where the soldier
guests were urged to sing-anything. so
long as IL was Southern. With charac-
teristic gallantry the soldiers pleaded
with the women to sing. which they did.
and then, almost in chorus. they in
sisted that, Now. we've done our part.
and you promised that you would do
your best afterward" Nance responded
with a song, especially popular with the
command, called ''Wheeler's Cavalry"
whirh so delighted the young women that
they clamored for more And then
Nance spoke up with, well, the fact is,
ladies. I sang only to redeem my prom
Use to you. I was almost ashamed TO
utter a note in the presence of the best
singer in the Confederate army"
1.-The best singer in our army! Which
is it," the young women demanded.
My friend, MI. Johnson, has that
reputation. Come. Sam. don't be so
modest. You know you hold the agesfor
the best singing and there's no reason
why You should be so modest now"
General Wheeler blushed like a girl, and
denied the soft impeachment, but there
was no escape from the Establishments
of pretty Southern girls, and so he
Joined with the others in singing The
Bonnie Blue Flag" But he wasn't
urged to sing again. And il was lucky
he wasn't, for almost Immediately Gen
eral Hampton appeared with a squad
bodyguard, when Wheeler's identity was
revealed. When the young women
learned that the best singer was none
other than the dashing young cavalry
officer with whose name they were so
familiar. he got the best that the house
could afford, and was invited to stay as
long as he wished. But his stay was cut
short by the report of his scouts that
the ''Yanks' were close at hand. and
then Wheeler and hts comDaDiops souebt