The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1905-12-07
GEN. JOHN +. WILDER.


Nations strongest need was for men.
Not SO much for men in numbers, but
for men of high souls and unconquera-
Bile wills-men burning with patriotic
fervor and dauntless courage. to meet
her arrogant enemies foot to foot and
sword to sword, and conquer them in
the name OF Liberty and Right She
found q host OF such. but among them
was no Drawer soldier, no one more un-
a chance to fight her battles, than
Gen. John r. Wilder, Of Indiana. He
was a thrifty and successful mechanic
and business man when the call to
arms came, but he at once sacrificed
everything to enlist under the Flag,
and as aforementioned in the 18th
Ind. did his full share of the good
fighting by which West Virginia was
redeemed to the Union and held firmly
under the Flag. His picket fired the
volley which killed Col John A.
Washington and brought to naught
Gen. r. E. Lees fnely-planned cam
paign for "expelling the Yankees from
West Virginia" To a man of Wilder's
ability and fiery zeal promotion came
| naturally and rapidly. and he was soon
at the head Of his regiment, and then
infantry, which became celebrated.
There is no use telling any man who
served in the Army of the Cumberland
anything about "Wilder's Lightning
Brigade" He knows more about it
than he can be told. and at the men,
ton of 1t he is likely to bubble over
with more admiration than can be ex-
pressed. Wilder's Brigade was always
very much in evidence wherever fight
ing was going on, and when the bat
tie was over 1t was found that Wilder's
Brigade had put in blows that were as
good as the best from any one else.
Whenever division, corps or army
| commanders spoke Of the brigade 1t
was always with q compliment. To-
day a veteran mentions the fact that
he belonged to Wilder's Brigade with
the scarcely concealed consciousness
that in saying that he has said all that
was necessary. Nobody can show a
better fighting record than that.
At the conclusion of the war Gen.
Wilder went back to the country which
had been the scene Of his brigade's most
brilliant achievements. and devoted his
great energy and ability to building up
and developing its rich resources. He
! was the pioneer in the development of
the iron and coal riches OF Tennessee
and Georgia. He was at one time the
head of large mine and furnace cor
porations and reputed a man OF COM
handing wealth, which he had well
earned. Then the great financial crash
Frustrated the fourishing industries Of
cumulations. President Mckinley,
who knew well Gen. Wilder's services
and character. appointed him Pension
Agent at Knoxville. He has done un-
usually well In that position, as it is
his custom to do wherever placed, but
his term Of Office approaches the end,
and there is a question about his re-
appointment, since there are many
others who want the place. and want
1t very much, and the General is suf
fering the usual disadvantage OF hav-
Ing every year sadly diminish the
number Of men who have personal
knowledge and strong appreciation of
| his eminent services as soldier and q
citizen. At the same time no appoint
ment would receive more applause
| from every part Of the country. There
are still q great many thousand Of the
Army Of the Cumberland alive and
vigorous Every one Of them would
throw up his hat with enthuS'asm at
the announcement Of q recognition Of
the services Of the grand old Lightning
Brigade. Indiana, AZ we'll az Illinois.
which had three regiments in his bril-
gade, is proud Of Gen. Wilder, and his
reappointment would be very crafty
ing to all Indianians.
Gen. Geo. III. Thomas was never Law
| ish nor careless In his praise, so that
his commentators were always highly
valued. because known to be well-de-
| served. The following Is from the Re-
| bellion Records:
ITO Brig.-Gen. Lorenzo Thomas,
Adjutant-General: Inclosed herewith
| Of Col John T. Wilder. 18th Reg't Ind.
Volunteers, commanding Brigade of
Mounted Infantry, of the operations Of
| his brigade Of mounted infantry in CO.
operation with the main portion of the
Army Of the Cumberland before and
| after the evacuation of Chattanooga by
| the rebel army. including the battle Of
IChickamauga and up to the time of the
| assembling Of the army at Chattanooga.
For his ingenuity and fertility Of re-
source in occupying the attention Of an
| entire corps Of the rebel army while
| our army was getting around its flank
| and for his valor and the many quail
| ties of commander displayed by him
in the numerous engagements of his
brigade with the enemy before and dur
ing the battle Of Chickamauga. and for
the excellent service rendered by him
generally, I would respectfully recon-
mend him to the President Of the Unit
ed States for an appointment as Briga-
der General.
81 am. sir, very respectfully. your
ohedient servant.
Geo. H. Thomas, Major-General Com
manding."
SOMEWHAT vExED.s
It is strange how some men will al
low themselves to be disturbed. A ru-
raj mail carrier at Rummerfeld. Pa.