The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1906-02-01
GENERAL JOSEPH WHEELER
ANSWERS FINAL R0LL-CAIh.
Death Terminates Career of Brave South
ern Soldier and Statesman.

caught cold week ago, and pleurisy
soon developed. By order of his ply
sician he remained at the home of his
sister, and thought his illness would
quickly yield to treatment 1t did not,
however, and on Monday night con.
sultation of doctors was held and then
it was announced that pnemonia had
developed. From that time on he
gradually became worse, and last night
all hope was abandoned and the family
were summoned to his bedside.
There was an early rally this morn
ing, and for time hope was revived.
The end was most peaceful, and the
aged veteran sank slowly into uncon-
seriousness, surrounded by loved ones.
lie retained his faculties almost to the
last, and though too weak to speak,
Indicated by his manner that he recog-
nized those about him.
Arrangements for the funeral will be
made tomorrow.
SKETCH OF GENERAL wHEELER's LIFE.
General Wheeler was born in
Augusta, Georgia, September 10, 1886,
and graduated from West Point in the
class of 1859. He was second lieuten-
ant in the United States cavalry until
the civil war broke out, when he threw
his allegiance to the Confederacy,
being appointed first lieutenant of
artillery. He served with distinction
and went rapidly through the grades
until he was made brigadier. general Of
cavalry, then major general, and final
ly lieutenant-general. He saw more
active service than any other officer of
his rank, with but four exceptions. He
was wounded four times, had sixteen
horses shot from under him in various
battles in which ne participated, had
eight of his staff officers killed and
thirty-two wounded during the war.
He was officially thanked by the Con-
federate government time and again
for skill and gallantry in battle.
After the war he took up the practice
of law and engaged in planting. He
was elected to congress from the 9Th
Alabama district in 1881, and served
until after his reelection in 1899, when
he resigned. On May 4, 1893, he was
appointed major general of volunteers,
U. S. A., and was assigned to the com
mand of the cavalry division in the at
tack on Santiago. He commanded al
La Guasimas, and was the senior officer
in the field at the battle of San Juan,
and senior meml er of the commission
which arranged the surrender of Santi
ago. He was commander of the frs
brigade of the second division in thu
Philippines from August, 1899, to Jan
uary, 1900. He commanded the troop
at the battles Of Santarita, Porac ant
Angeles, and commanded the brigad,
which captured Mabalacat, Bamban
Tarlac, San Miguel de Camerling, Sal
Ignatia and Morionts. He made al
inspection of the island of Guam il
1900. He assumed command as briga
dier general of the regular army de
partment of the Lakes during 1900, an,
served until be was retired.
Gen. Wheeler has written numerou
military histories.
D LAST SPEECH MADE BY GEN. WHEELER
Gen. Wheeler was a conspicuous tig
ure at the last annual meeting of th
, Confederate veterans, held at Louis
vile last June, and delivered speec
on the opening day of the reunion
This was his last public speech of in
portance. He spoke in the Armor
building at noon, and his brief speec
l was as follows:
"My beloved old comrades, l kno
you will believe me when [ say thi
words can not express my gratitude fl
!. your kindly greeting. There is L
d event that we look forward to viii
}. more pleasure than our annual reunion
but all of this is not altogether fri
from sadness The sun every year
getting nearer and nearer the horizo
= our ranks are thinning every year, b.
we get together and recall those battl
where your courage did so much for Il
honor aud glory of our country. The
memories are sadder when we thil
lg that the victims of those sanguina
- fields were the youth aud promise
our country. The history of every M
who gave up his life in battle is co
O. nected with some distinctive merit a
every battle-deat is surrounded wi
a halo of grandeur,
"It is a sacred and holy duty to Ike
and cherish the memories of those m
warmest in our hearts.
"And now, my friends and fello
soldier, the few words have said CO..
.E spontaneously from my heart, and
call upon you all the blessing of Goo
. --=s
Seems to CliReh II.
Charlotte, Tenn, Jan. 22.-Inasmr
as it has been stated in the press Il