The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1903-10-22
THE FIELD OF BATTLE
INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES OF
THE WAR.
The Veterans of the Rebellion Tell Of
WhistlinR Bullets, Bright BayOnets,
Bursting Bombs, Bloody Battles,
Camp Fire. Festive BuGs, ETC., Etc.

Wnletl1n8 buliet6, br1SnS 60yOnetop
Bursting Bombs, Bloody Battles,
Camp Fire. Festive BuGs, Etc, Etc.
Gen. "Joe" Wheeler probably would
have been able to add some interesting
details to story about himself. one
that has no doubt often recalled to him
that familiar quotation, BE not for
getful to entertain strangers etc,
had he been present in a military circle
a few evenings ago, when an anecdOte
of his service in the Confederacy was
told. says the New Orleans States.
Shortly before the close Of the Civil
War, in February, 1865, after Sherman
had captured Atlanta and made his IA
nous march to the sea-" after Fort
McAlister had fallen and the city
which it had defended. Savannah, had
been turned over to Sherman's army,
Gen Wheeler and Gen. Wade Hampton
were feeling sore over the reverses
which the Southern cause had met,
and as they sat OH their horses, in
front of their commands, contemplate
ing that while they had fought with
dogged courage, the war was nearly
at an end, they felt that they must not
give up until they had been driven to
the "last ditch"
Wheeler's face suddenly frightened
up. and he suggested scheme to
Hampton which the latter assented to
after few moments reflection, for he
realized that should Wheeler be taken
prisoner 1t 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 scout within the
Federal lines The volunteer to go
with Wheeler was Jim" Nance, the
bugler Of the Fourth Tennessee Cav
airy, daring and trustworthy fellow.
Wheeler doffed his uniform 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 a few moments, they
were Joined by another private of the
Tennessee regiment. and the three
started to the opposite bank and land
ed on the shore in drenched clothing
and we'll nigh exhausted from SWIM
ming against the current. 1t then oc-
Cured to Nance that there was n
chance Of all getting caught. and if
Wheeler should be recognized their
game would be up. Nance asked his
General what they should do in case
of capture. when Wheeler replied: Get
away again. l reckon. would be the
best under the circumstances"
But" said Nance, sin case we
should be captured. if they found you
to be Gen. Wheeler, they'd watch us
so close we wouldn't have any chance
to get away. Why don't you assume
another name?"
The suggestion was agreed to. and
Wheeler said:
''AIl right, then; Sam johnson I'll be
for the present"
Then, plunging into the woods which
skirted the stream they went on for
some distance before reaching road
and suddenly came in sight of house,
when Wheeler said:
''Now, boys, I'll stand picket in the
road while you go to the house and
see if you can scare up some dry cloth
ing for u.s."
No difficulty was experienced, for the
occupants Of the house were strong
secessionists, and when the party had
put themselves into dry clothing they
received as hearty welcome as could
be given to friends and defenders.
They were regaled with an excellent
supper, after which the young women
for the men folks had gone to the
warIurged them into the parlor,
where the soldier guests We're urged
to sing-anything, SO long as it was
Southern. With characteristic gal
lantry, the soldiers pleaded with the
women to sing which they did, and
then, almost in chorus, they insisted
that, "Now, we've done our part and
you promised that you would do your
best afterward."
Nance responded with song, es-
pecially popular with the command.
called "Wheeler's Cavalry" which SO
delighted the young women that they
clamored for more. And then Nance
spoke up with: well, the fact is,
ladies, 1 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 Mr. Johnson, has that re-
putation. Come, Sam, don't be so mod
est. You know you hold the age for
the best singing and there's no reason
why you should be SO modest now"
Gen. Wheeler blushed like a girl, but
there was no escape from the blandish-
ments of pretty southern girls, and so
he Joined with the others in singing
1.-THE Bonnie Blue Flag" But he
wasn't urged to sing again. And it
was lucky he wasn't, for almost i'm
mediately Gen. Hampton appeared
with 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 af-
ford 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'' We're close at hand and
then Wheeler and his companions
sought refuge elsewhere.
Origin of Confederate Flag.
General w. L. Cabell, of Dallas, who
is the commander of the trans-Missis-
sipp. Department of the United Con-
federate Veterans. has written what
he declares to be the true history Of
the Confederate flag. General Cabell's
contribution to Confederate War his
tory is as follows:
when the Confederate army, COM
manded by General Beauregard, and
the Federal army confronted each