Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-01-30

American war; the ldte ldlileilleu HicS-
ident Mckinley, seized with an inspir-
alton from heaven no doubt. conceived
the idea of putting an end to the sec
tional bitterness still lingering as the
result of the civil war, by appointing
a number of distinguished Confeder-
ates to important commands In the
volunteer armies, and in this way Gen.
Joseph Wheeler was made major
general.
AS to whether the presidents pur-
pose contemplated anything further
than the idea of reconciliation; as to
whether he placed any value on the
military experience of these old Con-
federates we do not know. There Is
no way of telling. West Pointers had
no doubt assured him that the regular
army officers would be easily equal to
the occasion, and they no doubt
thought so. The president may have
thought so too, and then again 1t is not
difficult to see how 80 wise a man as
was Mr.. Mckinley, might have had
very strong conviction, that 1t would be
a good idea to use these old Confeder-
ates not alone for reconciliation pur-
poses but also because Of their we'll
established regulations, and unques-
tionable knowledge and experience In
the art Of war.
ANYHOW, there Is little reason to
doubt that the appointment Of Joe
Wheeler as a major general proved
great blessing. not only along the line
of healing sectional breaches; but also
from the standpoint Of military abil-
ity. We believe firmly that had not
Gen. Wheeler been in high command
before Santiago, the history Of the
Spanish American war would have
been written very differently from
what it is.
1t will be remembered that fat old
General Shafter was in command of
the American forces. The powers that
were deemed him the most available
man for the place. Either that or he
had a better pull than anybody else.
and his pull may have given him the
position. But anyhow, General Shafter
devoted his attention principally to the
direction Of operations, and In the ad-
vance on Santiago, it happened that
General Wheeler was the ranking OFF,
Ger with the line.
The Americans had rushed forward
,.L t,,,,o.,o,,s antbusia an, hefOre thew
were half prepared for the advance.
They had failed to carry with them
from the landing a sufficient quantity
of ammunition much less supplies OF
food, blankets, tents, ETC., and while
they drove the enemy quite easily at
first, 1t was not great while until they
came to barbed wire entanglements,
trenches and other obstacles that COM
PEELED a halt.
History has not emphasized the facts
and maybe it never will; but the cor
respondents told at the time how the
American forces after driving the
Spaniards for nearly two whole days.
suddenly found themselves out Of am
munition, and without food or water.
The Spaniards were strongly en-
trerched in front, and were not only
able to hold their ground before a
practically helpless foe; but If they
had known it, could have advanced
with but little opposition. The Amer
lean commissary and ammunition
for hours it looked as If the entire
army was in danger of destruction or
rout the moment the Spaniards
should squeeze up the courage to try
a charge.
The West Pointers all realized the
situation, and so did the volunteers.
All the officers began to grow shaky,
and they figured out that there was but
little hope of safety except under the
guns Of the warships that had convoy
ed the transports to the landing. Some
officer, probably a West Pointer, high
up in rank suggested the wisdom OF
retreat A council of war was held,
and everybody was in favor of send
ing word to General Shafter suggest
ing that the lines be withdrawn and
that the ground that had been won at
the expense of so much valor and
blood be abandoned until thorough
could be made for another
This was the shape in which the
whole matter was presented to Cen
eral Wheeler; but the little old Con-
federate hero would not think Of such
a thing. He declared that he would
hold the ground until the Spaniards
were able to take it and the officers
under him went back to their respec-
tive stations, not altogether satisfied
with the orders of their superior off,
Ger.
In the course Of a few hours more
the ammunition and commissary wag-
ons began to roll up to the firing lines,
and the necessity of considering a re-
treat soon passed away.
1t is not difficult TO understand how
to raw volunteers or even to west
Pointers who had not seen a great deal
of active service the situation may
have seemed desperate enough; but to
Joe Wheeler the whole thing was
child's play. He had been in the same
fix or worse a hundred times before,
and the men he commanded never
thought of retreat for lack of some
thing to eat or blankets to sleep on.
But this is only an incident In the
career of General Wheeler. He was a
loyal patriotic southerner. He proved
equal to every trust that was reposed
in him and he measured up to every
responsibility. He was a good Con-
federate and a good American. His
life and career represent rich heri-
tage to the people of whom he was
one.
Dnrn.nrNr ENC1o -Mnch