The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1910-11-13
FIGHTING JOE WHEELER.
MS proudesa Moment when lie Donnrd
a. inform.

The late senator Dolliver 81 Iowa en-
joyed telling this story about Gen Joe
Wheeler. the dashing Confederate cavalry
officer, "A distinguished General Of the
Spanish American war and the Philippine
instruction and an able and useful MEM
her OF Congress from Alabama
Il was passing along Pennsylvania
avenue the day after war was declared
ia 1888 said the senator. "and met Uncle
Joe Wheeler. The most OF us always
called him Uncle Joe. and he rather liked
it Uncle Joe called out. You are just
the man | want to see. Go with mo 90
the White Mouse want you to say q
good word for me 20 President Mckinley
II am willing to do anything can
within the bounds Of reason. Uncle Joe.
hut what do you want me TO do or say
I want you to ask the Presi dent 20
make me a Rrigadiar- General OF Yolun-
teers and send me right 10 the from,
Oh Uncle Joe. Won don't want to do
anv more fighting You are too old to
encounter the hardships Of active ser
vice i'm time Of war
There l. where YOU are mlsta ken.
Senator Deliver ! am still a. tough as
a pine knot Will you go:
OF rour~. will, Uncle Joe and We
went told President Mckinley what
Uncle Joe had said aDd put IN a. strong
an appeal a. could for his appoin tment
I thought Their" was dampneHs about
President Mckinley "v.- that was "A
little unusual and rha, there was tremor
in his voice when he said. Gen Wheeler,
| will let you know in q day or two
When We left the White House TnCIr
loo was -till little nervous am afraid
no does not tax. kindly To it, he said
I think he docs Uncl" Joe: ! believe no
will appoint you
Senator. hope so. with all my hearr
Nothing in this wild. world could possibly
pleas. me a. much ~ fo hav. the right
80 put on the uniform Of the army ana TAX.
part in this war
r" tell the truth there was dampness
i'm my eyes too. and l did not make any
reply 80 Uncle Joe's remark
A fev days after thar the President
sen. batch 81 appointments 81 Generals
- the Snnst. for confirmation. and in
the. batch appeared tho name II Uncle
.Ioe ~ "A Major -Grnoral - Volunteers a
higher rams than he had asked for
As yo'I know. those ~er. hurrying
times Uncle Joe rushed around and
got his uniform as soon possible
"A division ,o command and he ped
20 win glory for the American army and
the american nation both In Cuba and in
the Philippine Islands. For time. a.
va: vii! remember he commanded the
u her Tho army was reurganiZnd and the
u'Ifnb.- 81 BrI z adler Generals increased
Uncle Joe was made a Brighdi.r General
IN IN. United States Army.
In spe" h AT soldier meeting a
Union Grove last August Congressman
~ 4 cooper Of Wisconsin had this to
-ay about tn"le Joe.
-Th. Representatives all liked Uncle
Joe lie seldom missed session. paid
strict attention 10 what was going on
and was always a steadia Z Trend - the
army and the navy sni ready at all
time 10 vote on the right sd. on pcnsion
measures The day ON which H. was
80 leave Congress 10 TAX" command 81 q
division ~ troops bound for Cuba Uncle
Joe appeared IN the House 81 Represen-
tativas with his uniform ON. Fifty or
more members crowded around him to
shake hands. wish him good luck and
say godspeed Uncle Joe was deeply
touched and 40 were We just before he
left h. strengthened UP. looked at his
unifD' m. then NJ III and said with a voice
thai indicated deep emotion:
Gentle efI. this is the proUdeet, hap
piert moment ~ my life.