Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-10-17
THE FIELD OF BATTLE
INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES OF
THE WAR.
The Veterans of the Rebellion Tell of
whistliug bullets. Bright BayenstE,
Bursting Bombs, Bloody Battles,
Camp Fire. Festive Bugs, Etc, Etc.

Bursting Bombs, Bloody Battles,
| Camp Fire. Festive Bugs, Etc, Rtc.
| Gen Joe" Wheeler probably would |
lave been able to add some interesting
ietails TO a story about himself, one
hat has no doubt often recalled TO him
hat familiar quotation, BE not for
yetful TO entertain strangers etc,
lad he been present in military circle
few evenings ago, when an anecdote
IF his service in the Confederacy was
old, says the New Orleans States.
Shortly before the close of the Civil
| War, in February, 1865, after Sherman
| mad captured Atlanta and made his IA
nous march to the sea after Fort
McAIster had fallen and the city
which II had defended, Savannah. had
been turned over TO Shermans army,
Gen. Wheeler and Gen. 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, contemplate
az that while they had fought with
legged courage the war was nearly
at an end. they felt that they must not
give up until they had been driven TO
he last ditch
Wheeler's face suddenly frightened
ap, and he suggested Il scheme to
Hampton which the latter aSSented TO
after few moments reflection, for he
,ealized that should Wheeler he taken
prisoner it might he the end of his
promising career, The proposition was
that Wheeler. in disguise. and some
rusty soldier. should cross the Peedce
River and make a 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 doffedh his uniform and put
3n q private's coat. and then the two
swami the river 10 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
I
ming against the current 1t then oc-
cured to Nance that there was a
chance of all getting caught, and IL
Wheeler should he recognized their
game would he up. Nance asked his
General what they should do in case
Of capture. when Wheeler replied: Get
away again. I reckon. would be the
best under the circumstances
But" said NaRce, Fin case we
should he captured. II they found you
to be Gen. Wheeler, they'd watch rs
70 close we wouldn't have any chance
10 get away. why don't You assume
another nameE-
The suggestion was agreed to, and
Wheeler said.
"All right. then; Sam Johnson III be
for the present
Then plunging into the woods which
Skirted the stream they went on for
some distance before reaching a road,
and suddenly came in sight OF house
when Wheeler said:
Now, boys, III stand picket in the
road while you 90 to the house and
see If you can scare mp some dry cloth
ing for us"
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 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 We're urged
to sing anything. so long as 1t was
Southern. With Characteristic gal
antry, the soldiers pleaded with the
women to sing which they did, ana
then, almost in chorus, they insisted
hat, "Now. we've done our part and
you promised that you would do your
hest afterward."
Nance responded with n song eS-
pecially popular with the command,
allied "Wheeler's Cavalry" which 50
delighted the young women that they
clamored for more. And then Nance
spoke Up with well. the fact is.
ladies', sang only to redeem my prom.
Use to you. was almost ashamed TO
utter note in the presence Of the best
! singer In the confederate army"
The best singer in our army! Which
is III" the young women demanded.
My friend Nj. Johnson has that re-
putati1n. 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 hut
there was no escape from the blandish-
ments 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 IT
was lucky he wasn't. for almost i'm
mediately Gen Hampton appeared
with squad bodyguard, when
| Whceler's identity was revealed When
the young women learned that the