Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-01-29
STORIES OF WHEELER
Dashing Confederate Veteran
 Famed For Brave Deeds.
REMARKABLY COOL UNDER FIRE

Exploits of the Cavalry Leader on
 skirmish Line at San Juan Told by an Orderly-A Target For sharp
 shooters, but Not Bothered - His
 Lack of Fear While swfmnins Among Sharks.
 One of the orderlies who had served
 with the late General Joseph Wheeler during the Cuban campaign related the
 following stories about the bravery of
 the ex-Confederate cavalry leader and
 veteran of the civil and Spanish-Ameri-
 can wars to a reporter of the New
 York Globe:
 There is one thing that you can
 gamble your immortal soul on," he
 said, land that is that my general was
 all right. Honestly, I'll take my Bible
 oath that he didn't know what fear was. And cool! An iceberg wasn't in it with him. One time when he was riding along the skirmish line at the post of San Juan, just as quiet and uncon- cerned as though he might be riding through the lines here Camp Wikoff, at Montauk, on Long Island), though the Mausers were kicking up didos all around him, he came to a little open glade in the jungle. He stopped and pulled the brim of his campaign hat down over his face to keep the sun out of his eyes while he reconnoitered the Spanish intrenchments. He must have made a beautiful mark for the enemy, sitting there like a statue on his horse. was about twenty feet behind. sheltered by some trees, and as I sat and watched him my heart was in my for fear the old man would get hit. In a minute he turned around and beckoned to me.
 "'Good Lord thought. here's my finish but of course I had to go. I felt just then as if I had my whole stomach in my mouth and that lump of Ice had taken its place. I rode out and saluted. trying hard not to make a bolt and get on the lee side of the gen eral, though, heaven knows. they could have shot all around him and riddled bis outline on me.
 "'Get back at once. Forsham. and tell the first officer you meet that there Is a body of sharpshooters up on the bill directly behind that tree he said. to big cottonwood. We'll, I got. and I got quick. you may bet. When got back to him he was farther along the line. talking to some officers about the sharpshooters I heard him ,ay. I counted four. but l rather think hat there were more.' Now. what do Fou think of that for nerve? Sit still ,n horse and count the number of lagos that were trying their level best o hit you! Well. that's Joe Wheeler.
 Another time be was up at the front when came up with a dispatch. He lad just started to read it when my lorse was shot. As I climbed to my eet I saw him looking at me. Not iuri. I hoper he said No. sir says !. Good. says he and then starts to cad his letter again. stood there rying to hide as much of myself as
 could behind his horses legs. When e had finished he said: You had bet CT go and skirmish for another horse. 'orsham. Say I sent you And then Q trotted of He didn't seem to think ny one else could he scared either. I iade a good record at running when Q hsd gone. I can tell you that.
 Another time up near Santiago sw him taking to an officer He hsd is bridIe held short. with his left hand oIding on to part of his horses mane Ie had turnel half round. and his ght hand was on the horses back