The Detroit times., 1909-07-13
CIVIL WAR HERO
DIES IN POVERTY
Col Marcellus Pointer, Bravest Men
Gen. Wheeler Ever Saw in Battle,
Identified By Letters.

NEW YORK, July l3.-In a Bow
cry lodging house ID man died, a man
man whom the late Gen. Fighting
Joe Wheeler had declared was the
most courageous he had ever seen In
battle.
The man was Col Marcellus Point
er, an aide-camp on the stan OF Gen.
Wheeler during the civil war and OF
late years a promoter of mines and
railroads. Col. Pointer was found
dead In a room he had occupied since
October last In the Atlantic Hotel,
New Bowery and Oliver-st. Papers
In his room revealed the identity OF
the Confederate veteran. He was 90
years old.
Col Edward owen, OF No. IL Broad
way commander OF the Confederate
Veteran camp in this city. will see
that the body is fittingly Inferred.
Although many OF the papers found
In the OLD soldiers room were latter
ed there were number of carefully
wrapped In thick brown paper. These
told OF his military life. and had been
carefully preserved Among them
were several personal letters from
Gen Wheeler running from 1862 TO
1903. An envelope containing pawn
tickets told the mute story of the old
soldiers adversities and poverty dur
ing the last few years. One OF the
tickets showed that gold medal pre-.
sentcd to him by the Confederate CON
gress for bravery on the battle field
for saving the life of Fighting Joe"
had been pawned for IS only few
weeks ago. There were pawn tickets
also for three gold watches. one OF
which had been given him by his adj
mirers In his native town. Holly
Springs. Miss, after his return from
the war.
Praise for His Bravery.
The first of the letters relating to
the old soldiers military career was
written by Gen. Wheeler to the Col !
onel's father, DR.. David Pointer. in. /
forming him OF the wounding OF his !
son during skirmish. Gen. Wheeler
writing from the headquarters OF the |
Confederate cavalry al Knoxville.
Tana-,- unaeF=d date of -0et=3oIS6a7
said:
The bearing OF your son from the
time he entered the service Is deserv-
ing of the highest commentator. His
gallantry throughout the Kentucky
campaign is beyond all praise. He is
well worthy of you, sir. for by his
courage and daring he has won the
admiration of all"
In another letter written on the bat
tlefield Gen Wheeler complimented
the young officer, for he vas then only |
IS years old. on his gallantry and SIX.
In leading a troop OF cavalry into a
Federal camp. In this letter. written |
hurriedly with pencil, Gen. Wheeler
said:
you have indeed won your spurs
today l congratulate you. Colonel"
For this act, according to the rec
ords, Pointer was made colonel of an
Alabama regiment, but at the request
OF Gen. Wheeler continued on his
STAFF
Ii was at the battle OF Maryville,
Nov Is, 1863, that Col. Pointer saved
the life OF Gen. Wheeler. The latter.
with several OF his staff, including
Col. Pointer. dashed in on Major Ora
ham corps of cavalry and captured
Il large part of the Federal officers
command In an attempt to regain
his captured troopers Major Graham
surrounded the Confederate officers |
and at the risk of his life. being |
wounded I'm the ARRAY Col. Pointer
cut his way through the Federal line.
closely followed by his general and |
the other officers.
Shot Five Times In Battle.
Altogether Col Pointer was shot
five times during the war and parti-
cipated In more than 100 engage
ments. When the war was over he
returned to his fathers home at Holly
Springs. but subsequently, removed to
Dallas. Tex. where he married A
daughter Miss Sadie Pointer. is now
living al Ardmore. Okla.
At the outbreak OF the Spanish
American war Col Pointer cought a |
brigadiergeneralship in the volunteer
service. In the papers found were
copies OF letters written to the then
Secretary of War. Alger. and to Presi-
dent Mckinley from representative
Southerners. urging his appointment. |
There is no record that Col. Point
er secured the coveted position.
According to the proprietor of the
Atlantic Hotel. Col. Pointer formerly |
lived In several other lodging houses !
along the Bowery before coming TO
his place. He led very simple life, |
going away at o'clock every morn
ing and returning at Z precisely at |
night. volunteering no information to
any one. He received no letters at
the lodging house, getting his mail az
the general delivery window al the !
postoffice.