Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-02-01
Demise of the Famous Cavalry
Leader Recalls Many Of His
Brave Deeds
REMARKABLY COOL UNDER FIRE
Exploits of the Dashins Soldier on the
skirmish Line at San Juan Told BY
an orderIy-Tarset for sharpshoot-
srs, But Apparently Unconcerned-
Swimming Among Sharks.

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 reporter of the New
York Globe:
There Is one thing that you can
gamble your immortal soul on he
said, "and that Is that my general was
ill right. Honestly, I'll take my Bible
oath that he didn't know what fear was.
And cool! An iceberg wasn't in 1t 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 Wikof, at
Montauk, on Long Isla -. though the
Mausers were kicking up didos all
around him, he came to 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 reconnoltered the
Spanish intrenchments. He must have
made beautiful mark for the enemy,
sitting there like a statue on his
horse. / was about twenty feet behind
sheltered by some trees, and as ! sat
and watched him my heart was in my
mouth for fear the old man would get
hit. In minute he turned around
and beckoned to me.
"'Good Lord l thought. here's my
fnish,' but of course had to go.
felt just then as If l had my whole
stomach in my mouth and that lump
Of Ice had taken its place. / rode out
and salufed, trying hard not to make
bolt and get on the lee side Of the gen
eral, though, heaven knows, they could
have shot all ound him and riddled
his outline on l4e.
"'Get back at once, Forsham, and
tell the first officer you meet that there
hill directly behind that tree he said,
pointing to a big cottonwood. Wsll,
got, and l got quick. you may bet.
When got back to him he was farther
along the line, talking to some officers
about the sharpshooters. / heard him
say, 4 counted four. but rather think
that there were more Now. what do
you think Of that for nerve? Sit still
on horse and count the number Of
dagos that were trying their level best
to hit you! Well. that's Joe Wheeler.
Another time he was up at the front
when came up with a dispatch. He
had Just started to read it when my
horse was shot AS climbed to my
feet saw him looking at me. Not
hurt, l hopeY he said. No. SIR says
I. 'Goodv says he and then starts to
read his letter again. stood there
trying to hide as much of myself as
I could behind his horses legs. When
ter go and skirmish for another horse.
Forsham. Say l sent you And then
he trotted off, He didn't seem to think
any one else could be scared either.
made good record at running when
he had gone, can tell you that.
Another time up near Santiago
saw him talking to an officer. He had
his bride held short, with his left hand
holding on to part Of his horses name.
He had turned half round, and his
right hand was on the horses back
Just behind the saddle He was laugh
ing at something; Suddenly his horse
gave little Jump and SHE'D to one
side. A bullet had grazed its neck
Just under the generals wrist, cutting
away part Of the name. The general
turned around and found that part
Of the name he bad been holding was
cut by the bullet. He never stopped
laughing, but took fresh grip on the
name and went on talking.
II saw him ride hard once in the
firing line, and that was to tell squad
Of colored men to get little to one
side, as some sharpshooters had spotted
them and were firing at them"
General Wheelef's lack Of fear is H.
Illustrated by the following story told by
4 sea captain named Lowden, says the
New Orleans Times-Democrat:
"He made several trips on my vesse!
to the wrecks of Admiral Cervera's
feet" said Captain Lowden. "and if q
bath in the pellucid Caribbean wasn't
his prime object in going, it was al
ways considered in the programme.
General Wheeler was great swimmer
and exhibited most inspiring absence
of fear as to sharks, something not ex-
actly shared by his fellow officers. On
our first trip to the famous Vizcaya we
were at anchor near her, at place
where sharks were said to abound,
when he expressed the determination
Of having swim. The idea Of pre-
venting him on principles Of humanity
was ovefawed by the shoulder straps
q 9 major general.
* prevailed on him. however. to al
low one Of our. yawls to attend, which
he declared he did not thiak necessary,
and eyer stripping to a grit hne' az
sellers ut he sprang On the rail With
the agility g / boy and took header
that wanM have bothered most young
seers .1aqual. He swsn' around and
afo1nd, climbing, inso the yawaboat and
6,ying from her As,Aber Of times,
then retNrned, On board much to our
relief sadawittost . sEnSie lfnuv deni.
sen q @s vastly dssp' pastinI IN an
appearance.