The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-07-13
CIVIL WAR HERO
DIES IN POVERTY
Col. Marcellus Pointer, Brayest Men
Gen. Wheeler Ever Saw in Battle,
Identified By Letters.

NEW YORK. July l3.-ln Bow
cry lodging house man died, 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 oil Zen,
Wheeler during the civil war ana OF
late years promoter OF mines anu
railroads. Col. Pointer was tound
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 ot
the Confederate veteran. lie was %
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 taIter-
ed there were a number carefully
wrapped in thick brown paper. These
told OF his military lie, and had oeen
carefully preserved. Among them
were several personal letters IRON
Gen. Wheeler running from 1862 10
1905. An envelope containing pawn
tickets told the mute story OF the OLD
soldiers adversities and poverty dur
ing the last few years. One or the
tickets showed that a gold medal pre-
sentcd TO him by the Confederate con-
gress for bravery on the battle held
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 ad-
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 10 the Col
oneps father, DR.. David Pointer, In
forming him of the woundtng OF his
son during skirmish. Gen. Wheeler,
writing from the headquarters OF the
Confederate cavalry at Knoxville.
Tenn, under date OF Oct. 80, 1862,
said:
The bearing of your son from the
time he entered the service Is deserv-
ing of the highest commentator. His
kdlidHlIy lulOubuOul lhc hNASuNhy
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
tlefeld Gen. Wheeler complimented
the young officer for he was then only
Is years old, on his gallantry and skill
In leading troop OF cavalry into a
Federal camp. In this letter, written
hurriedly with pencil, Gen. Wheeler
said:
You have indeed won your spurs
today. / congratulate yea,. 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
stan.
1t was at the battle OF Maryville.
Nov. 15, 1853, that Col. Pointer saved
the life OF Gen. Wheeler. The latter,
with several of his staff. including
Col. Pointer, dashed in on Major Ora
hams corps of cavalry and captured
a large part-of the Federal officer
command. In an attempt TO regain
his captured troopers Major Graham
surrounded the Confederate officers
and at the risk of his life. being
wounded In 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 at Ardmore. Okla.
At the outbreak OF the Spanish
American war Col. Pointer sought a
brigadier.generalship 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