The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-09-14
"JoE" WHEELER SANG.
Sought Safety in Flight and Disguise
Made Him Sing Despite Protests.


General Joe" Wheeler probably would
have been able 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 even
tngs ago, when an anecdOte of his scrV-
ice in the confederacv was told.
Shortly before the close of the civil war;
in February. 1860, after Sherman had cap
tuTed Atlanta and made his famous
march TO the sea" after Fort McAiiis-
ter had fallen, and the city which it had
defended. Savannah, had been turned
over to Sherman's army. Generals Wheel
er and Wade Hampton were feeling sore
over the reVerses which the southern
cause had met and as they sat on their
horses. in front of their commands. con-
templatirg that. while they had fought
with logged courage, the war was near
~ at an end they felt that they must not
give up until they had been driven to the
last ditch. - Whccler'S face suddenly
frightened up and he suggested a scheme
TO Hampton which the latter asSented to
realized that should Wheeler be taken
prisoner it might be the end of his prom
Using career. The proposition was that
Wheeler. i'm disguise. and some trusty
soldier should cross the Peedee river and
make "a scout within the federal lines.
The volunteer to so with Wheeler was
jim Nance. the bugler Of the Fourth
Tennessee cavalry, daring and trust
worthy fellow. Wheeler DOTTED his uni
form and put on a prtvates coat. and
then the two swan the river to an island
about 900 yards from the bank. Then.
after. resting a few moments they were
Joined by another private OF the TenneS-
see regiment and the three started TO the
opposite bank and handed on the shore In
drenched clothing and well-nigh exhaust
ed from swimming against the current
1t then occurred TO Nance that there was
a chance of all getting caught. and if
Wheeler should be recognized their game
fafrfI he ~e1~a D. crfarafar sraH
what they should do IN case Of capture,
when Wheeler replied: Get away again.
] reckon. would be the best under the cir
CumStanCCs.
But" said Nance. In case we should
be captured, if they found you 20 be
General Wheeler they'd watch us so close
we wouldn't have any chance to get
away. Why not YOU assume another
name The suggestion was agreed to,
and Wheeler said: "All 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 a road, and sud
denly came in sight Of a house, when
Wheeler said; Now, boys. III stand
picket IN the road while you go 10 the
house and see If You can scare up some
dry clothing for u.s.
40 difficulty was experienced. for the
occupants Of the house were strong Sc
cessionists, and when the party had put
themselves into dry clothes they received
as hearty n welcome as could be given to
friends and defenders. They were RECALLED
with an eXcellent supper, after which the
young women-fOr the men folks had
gone TO the war-urged them into the par
Tor. where the soldier guests were urged
TO sing-anything SO long as Il was south
ern. with Characteristic gallantry the
soldiers pleaded with the women 10 sing,
which they did. and then, almost in Choir
us they insisted that. Now, we've done
our part and you promised that you
would do your best afterward.' Nance
responded with q song. especially pOpu-
lar 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,
my promise 10 YOU was almost
ashamed to utter a note in the presence
Of the best singer in the confederate
army
"The hest singer in our army Which
is it?' the young women demanded.
MY friend. Mr.. Johnson. has that rep
utation Come, Sam. don't be so modest.
You know YOU hold the age for 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
the pretty southern girls and so ne
joined with the others IN singing The
Bonnie Blue Flag" But he wasn't urged
to sing again. And it was lucky he
wasn't for almost Immediately General
Hampton appeared with squad body
guard. when Wheeler's identity was re-
vealed. When the young women learned
that the best singer was none other
than the dashing young cavalry officer
with whose name they We're SO familiar.
no 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
~ anks were close at hand, and then
Wheeler and his companions sought ref
noe n1epur1nrp