The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-06-07
Report of Troy Chapter.

Jne regular meeting or tnlS Cnapter was held at the home of Mrs. James Murphree June 2, goodly number be- | ing present. This was the last meeting of the Chapter for the summer. The meeting was called to order by the | President, minutes of the last meeting read and adopted. The Chairman of the Relief Committee reported the veteran, who is being taken care of by the Chap ter to be in a very feeble condition, she was authorized to draw s a week from the Chapters treasury for his mainte- nance. The Corresponding Secretary re- ported g. received from State Treasurer for veteran. Three new names were en- rolled A very interesting report of the convention was given by Miss Emily i3owles. delegate from this Chapter to the State Convention. There being no further business the meeting adjourned for the social program which consisted Of the following:
 A fine sketch of the life and character of General Joseph Wheeler written by J. William Jones. read by Mrs. Sanford.
 pretty poem entitled Tanks and Rebs." read by Mrs. Minchener after which dainty refreshments were served.
 The Chapter will hold a Davis memo rial service at the Baptist Church June 3. The following program will be rem dered:
 W. H. Sanford. Master of Ceremonies.
 Organ Solo-Miss Murphree.
 Prayer-Rev. J. c. Sturgeon.
 Vocal Solo-Mrs. James Murphree.
 Reading. Our Southern Chieftain'- Miss Leone Carroll.
 Hymn Nearer My God to Thee"
 Jefferson Davis-Mr. F. J. Cowart. Presen tation of crosses.
 Benediction-Rev. S. A. Pilley.
 Mrs. W. H. Sanford.
 Corresponding Secretary.
 June 2.
 The following was read by Mrs. W. H |. Sanford as above stated:
 XII. Lieutenant-Gen. Joseph Wheeler J. William Jones. D. D., Chaplain Gen
 eral United Confederate Veterans.
 Lieutenant General Joseph Wheeler was a Georgian by birth, and an Alabamian by adoption: but the name and fame of Little Joe Wheeler" is by no means con- fined to his two States.
 Born at Augusta, Ga, September ,, 1S36 he went to the best school in the State. and was we'll prepared when he entered West Point in 1854, and gradu- On the secession of Georgia he prompt graduate after the course was extended to five years.
 In October, 1859. he was ordered as in- structor, to the Cavalry School at Car lisle, Pa. and remained on duty there during the winter and in the spring of 1860 he went to New Mexico for service against some hostile Indians, and made some daring and important scouts. ated in ls59-being among the first to ly resigned his commission in the United States army. was commissioned First Lieutenant of Artillery in the Regular Confederate army, and assigned to duty at Pensacola He was afterwards made Colonel of the 18th Alabama Infantry, and bravely led 1t in the great battle of Shiloh.
 In the latter part of July. 1862. he was placed in command of the cavalry of thS army of Mississippi and soon showed by his daring. dash and skill that this was the real field of his genius.
 In Bragg's Kentucky campaign. Colonel Wheeler bore a conspicuous part, and was complimented for gallantry and effl- ciency aV Mumfordsville, PerryvIlle and other points. In his retreat from Ken lucky Bragg made Wheeler chief of cav airy. and ordered him to cover his re- treat. and he handled his small force so superbly that the enemy could only make an average of about six miles a day. None of the Confederate infsntrymen were re- quired to fire a shot. and when General Buell. was removed for allowing Bragg to make so safe and leisurely a retreat, he stated officially. as his excuse, that the Confederate rear was covered Ly cavalry handled with more skill than had ever been known under similar circum- stances.
 Wheeler won. his spurs upon this campaign. and was commissioned Briea- dler General on the joint commendation of Bragg. Polk. Hardee and Buckner. and sent to Middle Tennessee, where he was so active. and displayed such per sonal daring that his men called him The Little Hero"
 Wheeler's services before the battle of Murfreesboro were invaluable in so ob- structing and delaying Rosecrans that he