Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-08-09
Joe" WheeLerS High Claim
To Georgia Gratitude

Editor The Journal-rhs Macon Telegraph of Au-
gust contains an editorial suggesting that the new
county Georgia should be Treutlen instead
of Kent Wheeler. ist'rs'
must confess that 1 never before heard of
governor Georgia by that name and notwithstan'a-
ing the Telegraphs editor tells at some length
who and he was, unless the information is more
accurate reliable than the following in regard
General wheeler. legislature would probably do
we'll investigate before acting the suggestion:
But General Wheeler has claim Georgia.
His parents were Massachusetts, people. temporarily
sojourning Georgia, when he born. He was
appointed a cadet to West Point from the state of
New York. Thence he went to Alabama"
Now, Editor Pendeton, OF the Telegraph, is
of the ablest writer's in Georgia. much al
1nire. and whom I proud call my friend.
must therefore. conclude that he did write
sanction the editorial referred to-
But I fear the article may harm and being
once follower the gallant Wheeler not unnatur
ally feel personally the unknd reference to
my old commander. and feel constrained to write
the following reply:
General wheelers parents were not temporarily
sojourning Georgia" His father banker and
planter in Augusta and the general born the
plantation in 1886. His father living in Augusta
at the close of the civil war, and far know
died and buried there
While yet youth young wheeler attracted the
attention of a congressman from New York tof the
same name but relaton) and who secured his APP
pointment cadet at West Point
Wheeler did from West Point to Alabama,
but at the age of 23 commissioned lieutenant
of cavalry in the United States army. He promptly
became an officer in the Southern army, and then
commenced his career as brilliant as that of any If
ficer in the Confederate service-albeit the Tee-
graphs editor does not seem to be conscious of the
brother of General Wheeler was also an officer
in the Confederate service and was killed in battle
General Wheeler married granddaughter Of Gov
Early of Georgia, and through this alliance
his wifes father being prominent and wealthy Ala
bamian-he became citizen of that state.
Does not the editor of the Telegraph know that
all that saved his city from capture in 1864, ana
probably sharing the fate Of Atlanta the de-,
feat the gigantic raid sent out by sherman from
Atlanta, the objects Of which were to destroy the
Confederate communications, capture Macon, and then
Jacksonville? these objects been accomplished
General Hood would have been bottled up in atlanta
II was this same Wheeler "who has no claims upon
Georgia" that and dispersed this raid cap
turing General Stoneman and large number Of his
men.
cavalry and part of his infantry at Aiken $.
dollars worth of cotton and other property. aftor
fires had been kndled burn the cotton to pre-
vent it from falling into the hands Of the enemy
For this the governor of South Carolina officially
his thanks to General Wheeler; and General
Bragg congratulated him in the following language:
THANK your gallant old command, in my name,
for their brilliant services. promised 1t In advance
to your native city, and nobly have you redeemed
Csigned) aBRAxroN BRAGG
And has Wheeler no claim on Georgia for hanging
on sherman's in his. famous, infamous
March to the Sea-" and saving many millions Of
dollars worth of property from destruction the homes
Of many Georgians from the torch and the females
Of their families from fate worse than death?
Even General Sherman is record saying
than that Wheeler and his cavalry him more
concern than all the rest of the Confederate forces
combined.
But it is useless to enumerate the services Of
Wheeler to his country for they are matter
Of record and known to the world-even if the Tele
graphs editor seems to be ignorant of them-and -.
in conclusion, 1 would ask, II Wheeler has claim
upon Georgias gratitude in Gods name who has?
Georgia owes 1t to herself not only to name
county Joe Wheeler" but erect 2 monument to
his memory.
tPrivate) w, c. DoDsoN
Atlanta, Gaf August 4