Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1906-03-16
WHEN JOE MHEELET SANG.
He Tried To Avoid 1t, But The Ladies
Insisted.

| He Tried To AVOID II, But Inc Lda,es
Insisted.
Shortly before the close of the Civil
War in February. 1865. after Sherman
bad captured Atlanta and made his
famous ''marcb to the sea, after Fort
McAlister had fallen and the city
which it had defended tSavannah) had
been turned over to Sherman's army,
Gems. Joe Wheeler and Wade Hamp
ton were feeling sore over the reverses
| the Southern cause had met, and as
| they sat on their horses in front of
their commands contemplating that,
while they had fought with dogged
courage. the war was nearly at an end,
they felt that they must not give up
until they had been driven to the "last
ditch -
Wheeler's face suddenly frightened
up, and he suggested a scheme to
| Hampton which the latter assented to
| after few moments reflection, for be
realized that should Wheeler be taken
prisoner it might be the end of his
promising caeeer. The proposition
was that Wheeler. in disguise, and
some trusty soldier should cross the
Pedee river and make scout within
| the Federal lines. The volunteer to
60 with Wheeler was Jim Nance, the
bugler of the Fourth Tennessee Cav
airy, daring and trustworthy fellow.
! Wheelef doffed his uniform and put on
priyate's coat, and then the two
swan the river to the island. about 200
yards from the bank. Then, after rest
ing few moments, they were joined
by another private of the Tennessee
regiment, ard the three started for the
opposite bank and landed on the shore
in drenched clothing and we'll nigh ex
hausted from swimming against the
current. 1t then occurred to Nance
that there was chance of all getting
caught, and if Wheeler should be rec
ognized their game would be up.
Nance asked his general what they
should do in case of capture, when
| Wheeler replied: ''Get away again, |
reckon, would be the best under the
| circumstances.
But" said Nance, ''in case we should
be captured. if they found you to be
General W Wheeler they'd watch us so
close we wouldn't have any chance TO
get away. Why not assume another
name p The suggestion was agreed
to, and Wheeler said, ''All right, then;
Sam Johnson 1'll be for the present.
Then, pluDging into the woods which
sklrted the stream they went On for
some distance before reaching road
and suddenly came in sight of house,
when Wheeler said: Now. boys, I'll
stand picket in the road while you go
TO the house and see il you can scare
up some dry clothing for u.s."
No difficulty WAS experienced, for
the occupants OF the house were strong
secessIonists, and when the party had
put themselves into dry clothes they
received as hearty a welcome as could
be given to friends and defenders.
rbey were RECALLED with an excellent
supper, after which the young women
for the men folks had gone to the
war-urged them into the phrlor, where
tue soldier guests We're urged TO sing
ANYTHING, as long as it was Southern.
With characteristic gailantry, the So
diers pleaded with the women to sing.
which they did: and then, almost In
chorus. they insisted that New, we've
done our part, and you promised that
Won would do your best afterward.
Nance responded with a sing, especial
ly popular with the command, called
wheeler 3 Cavalry" which so delight
ed the young women that they clamor'
ed for more. And then Nance spoke
up with, We'll, the fact is, ladies, L
sang only to redeem my promise TO
YOU. | was almost ashamed to utter a
note in the presence of the best singer
in the Confederate army"
The best singer in our army Wmcn
| is he 2" the young women demanded.
MY friend, Mr.. johnson, has that
reputation. Come, Sam, don't be so
modest. You know you hold the badge
for the best singing, and there's no
reason why you should be so modest
now."
General Wheeler blushed like girl,
and denied he soft impeachment, but
there was no escape from the blar
dishments OF bretty Southern girls. and
SO he joiued with the others i'll sing
ing .rhe Bonnie Blue Flag" But be
wasn't urged 10 sing again. And II
W ,s lucky be wasn't, for almost imm :
d 4tely General Hampton appeared
with a squad bodyguaId, when Wheel
identity was reveal d. When thu
van 70 women learned tnat the ''bes
uger" was toae orh4r than the dash
! ~ ,ouug cavalry ttficer with who's
n4me they were so familiar he got tb
hest the house could afford, and was in
. vIted to Stay as long as he wished. Bu
his stay was cut short by the report
J his scouts that the ''Y anks' were clos
at hand, and then Wheeler and hi
lcompanions sought refuge elsewhere =
New Orleans States.
Doctors are Puzziet'.
The remarkable recovery of Kennel