The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-02-03


 Joseph Wheeler. said General Oates was always q true man. faIlnfulsfo Ala bama and his people, and very active and attentive to this duties 10 his peo- pie and when too busy to perform all these duties he would even employ as many as five or six clerks 10 assist him in his work. He was full of love for his people. not easiiy irritated but he was self possessed.
 Taking him all Tn al- said Ueneral Oates. he was just such man IS we will not see again"
 In connection with General wheeiers' service in the Spanish-Americau war. General Oates pad high compliment to the military genius of the man., He told of how he and General wheeler came to be appointed to commands dur ing the war. He saw litlle of Wheeler in Che 'confiict. but he kept up with nina.
 shaftcr and Wheeler.
 Wheeler. major general. said Gen- eral Oates. was in disfayor wlln uen ' fral Shafter from the moment-they trud Cuban soil In calling the omcers to- gethers Shafter would slight W nee4er by falling to extend an invitation to him. but hee.er would always be present because he knew that hIs du- ties. as an oihcer. called for his pres ence. It was very likey that general Shafter. at one time, intended court fnartialing Wheeler but, after the bat
 of San Juan HlI' Snafter abandoned ldeas of cHurtn.artiaI. It was att !. .DuteG 70 the genius of Wheeler. dis played in his aSvice to Shafter at a critical moment not to tall Dack put 10 stand firm. tnvt the 5paniards were conquered and General 1oraIa was forced to surrender about 2t,Vss troops. After the Spanish war. Wheeler was honored by his commission as a origa- dier general in the regular army by President Mckinley.
 He is gone from us.' said General Oates in cicsIng. and we can always feel a pride in him as an Alabamian. He always felt that he was an Ala bamian."
 General Oates was accorded liberai appiause.' He was followed by Miss Georgia Thomas. daughter of Judge W. Fl. Thomas. who recited an appro opriate poem. 'Old Joe Wheeler" A vocal solo, Dixie" was sung by Mrs. Robert Chapman, who, was accompanied by Mrs. Carter.
 General sanford and Colonel woods.
 Captain Goodwin announced that short talks cn the life of General Wheeler would be heard and he called upon General John W. A. Sanford. Gen eral Sanford said he had very high opinion of General wheeler's bravery.
  said General Wheeler was stern, seri ous and active. In Congress. he was diligent and faithful worker. He la mented the death of General Wheeler and. in closing. he said:
 He was the only Confederate that the President and the yice-Presijent have ever donped mourning for when they attended his obsequies."
 Colonel Michael L. Woods was called t1n wof nf b0 aA been unable to speak in public and was therefore unprepared and would have only few remarks to make. He had commanded the 18th Alabama reg iment after promotion of Wheeler. The chief characteristic of General Wheel CT was his energy and industry, in everything he undertook.
 Major Screws Speaks.
 Being invited to the floor, Major w. W. Screws sketched the early days of General Wheeler and said he was Confederate soldier from high sense of duty. His school days were spent in New England In a community large ly hostile to the South. From there he went to West Point where the tend ency was to teach the indestructibiiity of the Unicn.
 At the outbreak cf the war he, was a cavalry officer stationed in. Arizona but he promptly resigned and made his way to the south and at once ent- cred the C. nfederate service.
 Major Screws euIogized General Wheeler for his fine qualities as a civ ilian and soldier. He was true In every. position to which hs was called and faithful to every obligation. Referring to the services of General Wheeler in the Spanish-American war. he said the same high sense of duty which caused him to resign from the United States Army in 1861 and unite his fortunes with the young Confederacy, impelled him to offer his services to the United States Government when there was put one Government. and as much the Gov ernment of the South as any other DOT" ton of the Union. Nothing had great" CT erect in the way of wiping out feeling of i'll will between the people of the south and North than the action of the grey and venerated Alabama Cc nfederates, Joseph Wheeler and Will liam c. Oates, when they offered their services to light a foreign foe.
 .'The one" said Major Screws. whose memory we are here to honor has passed away-the other Is still among Hs and we hope SJr many years to come
 Major Vincent Fillmore. who served In the command of General Wheeler was called upcn and. with tears in his eyes and pathos in his voice, reviewed, the life of the great General.
 Incident after incident duTing the struggle Of, the civil war. illustrating the military skill. and bravery of Wheeler Wheeler was kind hearted and generous a man for details. Ma poIean's idea of one of the greatest gifts in war. Few men have lived in modern times, said he. who were his su- perior. Indeed 1t was gracious tri- bute being raid to the memory of the great chieftain.
 Capt. Peter B. Mastin. who served as a line oficer under General Wheeler. ,.ulogized the life Of his General. and. at the same time, paid high tribute to the courage and bravery of General Forrest
 Captain Mastin was followed by Capt. R M Washburn. Rev. George Brewer and Capt. w B. Jones, who each briefly shoke n high terms of the life Of General Wheeler.
 Al the suggestion Of pr. owen, cap1 tain Goodwyn expressed heartfelt thanks to all who had taken part in the
 The meeting closed at 10:45 o'clock