The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-27
STORY In JOE wHEELER's CAREER
How He Sought Safety i'm Flight ana
Disguise.

New York Tribune
Gen. 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 evenings ago. when
anecdote of his service in the Confederacy
was told.
Shortly before the close of the civil war,
in February. lS6o, after Sherman had cap
tured Atlanta and made his famous march
to the sea-, after Fort McAllister had fallen
and the city which il had defended, Sa-
vannah, had been turned over to Shermans
army. Generals Wheeler and Wade Hamp-
ton were feeling sore over the reverses
which the Southern cause had met, and
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 the last ditch" Wheeler's face sudden
ly frightened up, and he suggested
scheme to Hampton, which the latter as
Sented TO after few moments reflection,
for he realized that should Wheeler be TAX
en- prisoner it might be the end of his prom
ising career. The proposition that
Wheeler, in disguise, and some trusty SOL
der should cross the Peedee river and make
a scout within the Federal lines. The vol
unteer to go with Wheeler was Jim
Nance, the bugler of the Fourth Tennessee
Cavalry, a daring and trustworthy fellow.
Wheeler dOffed his uniform and put 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 pri-
vate of the Tennessee regiment, and 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 get
ting caught, and if Wheeler should be rec
ogniZed their game would be up. Nance
asked his general what they should dc in
case of capture, when Wheeler replied,
Get away again, L reckon, would be the
best under the circumstances"
But" said Nance, lin case we should be
captured, If they found you to 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 Sug-
geStion was agreed to, and Wheeler said,
'All right. then; Sam Johnson I'll be for
the present"
Then, plunging into the woods which
sl<irted the stream, they went on for some
distance before reaching the road, and then
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 clothing
Cor u.s."
No difficulty was experienced. for the oc-
cupants of the house were strong secession
lists, and when the party had put them
selves into dry clothes they received as
hearty 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 parlor,
where the soldier guests were urged to sing
anything, so long as ii was Southern. With
characteristic gallantry 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 after
ward" Nance responded with song, espe-
cially 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. sang only to re-
deem my promise to you. L was almost
ashamed to utter a note i'm the presence of
the best singer in the Confederate army.
THE best singer in our army. Which Is
it?' the young women demanded.
MY friend. Mr.. Johnson, has that reputa-
ton. 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
girl, and denied the soft impeachment,
but there was no escape from the blandish
ments of pretty Southern girls, and so he
joined with the others in singing 1.-THE Bon
ME Blue Flag But he wasn't urged to
sing again. And it was lucky he wasn't, for
almost Immediately General Hampton APP
peared. with a squad bodyguard, when
Wheeler's identity revealed. When the
young women learned that the best singer
was other than the dashing young
cavalry officer with whose name they were
so familiar. he got the best that the house
could afford and he was invited to stay as
long as he wished. But his stay was cut
short by the report of his scouts that the
'YankS'' close at hand, and then
Wheeler and his companions sought refuge
elsewhere.