Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1906-02-22
General whesIer,s First Meeting With Lee

General Joe" Wheeler, hero OF
two wars, and rich in years and fame,
died before he bad lived out the ore
ambition that remained in his heart.
He wanted 10 write the history that
he had helped to make with his sword
aud as legislator and paci6cator OF
his country. He wished to close bis
career as man of letters and espec'
tally as a historian.
With this purpose in view, about
a week before his death be became
stakeholder, director and the his
torical editor of the Golden Age, a
new magazine edited and published
by Southern men in New York. He
wrote bis fret article. his Recollec-
tions of West Point Fifty Years Ago,
for the February number of this Mag.
azine, and died. The article is of es-
pecial interest as being the first effort
of noble purpose and the last effort
of noble man. But it is of itself of
inherent interest. The famous caval.
~ commander describes his first
meeting with General, then Colonel.
Robert E. Lee, the Superintendent of
the Military Academy. The follow
ing is brief extract:
II found my way to the door OF the
office of the Superintendent of the
Academy. The Superintendent or
derby, whose duty it was to announce
visitors, was for moment absent, and
being ignorant of military rules l
knocked at the door. l heard the
words come in As l entered, this
remarkable man. Robert E. Lee, who
afterwards became renowned war.
rior, rose from his seat behind his
desk, met me as l approached, and
placing his hand upon my shoulder,
said with a welcome smile: "A young
cadet who has come to report?' New.
er have l seen form or face which
so impressed me his uniform was
closely buttoned, showing his erect,
well rounded and perfect figure his
manner was digni6ed and embodied
modesty, kindness, benevolence and
all the characteristics which convey
the idea of purity and nobility. He
was in his forty. ninth year, mustache
faced, with slightly gray hair. At
that time he was captain of engi.
neers, with brevet ranks of Major,
Lieutenant, General and Colonel,
which honors he won by courage and
valuable service in the battles of Mex
leo. So highly regarded was he that
the Army and War Department con.
sidered him the logical and certain
successor of General Scott as comman-
der of the army.
I'm reply to the question bowed
to express the affirmative, and after a
few kind words he took me to the
door of the Office of the Adjutant
Lieutenant, I. B. Fry, afterwards a
prominent General, telling me that
Lieutenant Fry would give me all in
structions and directions. This kind,
fatherly reception was different from
my preconceived,idea of military de.
corum there was not a particle of
austerity in the bearing of either
Colonel Lee or Lieutenant Fry"
The above is only foretaste of
this article, in addition to which
there is thrilling dramatic narrative
of General Wheelsr's campaign at
Chickamauga, from the pen Of one Of
his old troopers, DR.. John Allen
Wyeth. With these two features the
Golden Age will be Of special interest
to all Southern readers. It's sub.
scription price is $l.0O per year.
Published at 4S West Twenty-seventh
Street, New York.