The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-26
Brilliant Confederate Career.

Little did he think when he entered
the Confederate service of the brilliant
carer before him, how the bars OF the
lieutenant were to be exchanged for the
stars OF the colonel, and they to give place
to the stars and wreath OF n brigadier.
and the climax to be reached, when, In
1854, he was made lleutenant-g general. and
became the senior cavalry general OF the
Confederate armies. on September 4.
1861, the young officer was appointed coll
onel OF the Nineteenth Alabama Infantry.
and at Shiloh commanded n brigade, and
was especially distinguished. During the
battle he had two hc-aes shot under him.
1t was his brigade that pressed most
warmly OH Premises division, and to
which Prnntiss surrendered His military
record was one Of the brightest, Many
incidents illustrating his wonderful skill
| as a commander might be cited but
single ono will DO sufficient 10 psapiish
| his great merit az cavalry chieftatn.
| The incident covers what has been de-
| clared to have been the most trying
| period of Wheeier's lfe-from the 9Th
| to the 3lst of May, 1864. when he. in
| n great measure. shared the honor OF
| Johnston's mastery retreat from Dalton
to the south OF the Etawah.
| ION the 9Th of May the whole cavalry
| force OF the Army OF Tennessee did not
exceed 2Se3 while that "a %, Of isherna ,p army by
1
the 18th Jaclssons, division arrived. From
! have been always Entrusted with discov-
| ering the designs OF the enemy. and on
many occasions TO have inflicted consid-
| cradle loss upon him. indeed, considering rim
| his laconic Style. except when vindicat-
ing strategic move or showing UP the
errors of the administration. It IS quite n
much more so. to be mentioned In terms
| OF approval. Yet Wheeler is frequently
i ..,,I fnu n 900
ION the 5ah day of May lighting began
with the Confederate advance guard. on
e n and deye as rs sdyan
| dismounted Confederate cavalry. On the
9th, Wheeler with Dbrell's and Aliens
| airy Mt Varnells station. defeated them.
and captured a hundred prisoners and a
M,h b ON fhe cavars about
men, to so around the<north end OF Rocky
Face Ridge, and learh in which direction
the Federal We're moving
the great number Of Federal cavalry look
ing after sherman's thanks. on the way
with, loss OF 100 prisoners, and several
hundred wagons destroyed. Upon the IN.
s Rhnrns,G was ' moving ,owards hts John.
ston's) left. the Confederate general now
evacuated Dalton On the 18th Wheeler
Tilton till General Hood could dispose his
sgdpT I'9 On the 18th Wheele was directed
to ascertain the position and formation
q the enemys left The performance Of
tory fighting 1t was successfully ex-
ecuated and Johnston In consequence, Sc
2ps iga the bay f m ss
raid on Hoods rear, were driven OFF by
Wheeler and pursued two miles. the victor
ers. On the 10th Johnston was again
forced. by Sherman crossing the Ooste-
to e o ss pa ns nG
erals with his cavalry. On the 18th Wheel
er. supported by cheatham succeeded ds ! in
ait a convenient distance
ION the goth the Etowah was crossed.
and the infantry rested Ste but Wheeler heller vas g
recross. the Etowah. and to ascertain IN
1 what direction the TNederals were moving 4:
2ith, aper defeating the troops gH,aardint p
Of seventy oaaea and WAGES mes AMID
ls2 prisoners, having burned moro wagons
than he brought away. ~, ,,o,,o
| church on the nth, Wheeler. with two
brigades met the Federal infantry column
and drove back PACK, the saain Drsaae
II This Di brief Enumeration, taken from
Johnston narratiye Of q the o wfbk 81 d0g May
1854 illustrates tho arduous duties Of the the
cavalry and shows to some extent Sa ii i II =
genius possessed by Mnf irn ar nor OF te
service. 1t is seen, from the foregoing.
was ALMOST fDnstS ara nd Il o rhs
"a Sndi n,,t the Intentions of the enemy,
but to annoy his trains and c9nneetions
and to cover the withdrawal OF Johnst q I,
i TaanaIns ali this the ordinary pers OF IN
fantry fife we're avoided and thatthe cn NJ
,,aryelw9 exposed to the dangers Of a deadly
conflict reply i f Gnd Rend Ry 1Gn
stons, s In OF u appears that the per cent
ef loss IN the infantry during the month 3nai
S1aody tea asef @
ais NOT Saxceed fourteen per cent, Wniie
| in uWheeler's division the JOSS was iilo''
1 than eighteen per cent