 |
| Major General Joseph Wheeler, U. S. A. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, August 22, 1898.
PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.
A Grand Old Man.
What a grand old man is Joseph Wheeler of Alabama, known to his intimate friends as Joe Wheeler, known to the ex-Confederate soldiers as Fighting Joe, known in the official life of the national capital as Congressman Wheeler, and known and loved by all the country now as General Wheeler, one of the heroes of Santiago!
When the civil war broke out he "went with his state," joined the Confederate army, choosing the cavalry branch of the service, and though only 25 years of age, received important commands. He was promoted rapidly, and by the close of the war, had won for himself the reputation of being the greatest cavalry leader of the Confederate army. Here is a new story which illustrates his character:
At the battle of New Hope Church, between Atlanta and Chickamauga, General Walker sent Major William H. Ross, who was on his staff, to ascertain from General Wheeler, who occupied an advance position, what was in his front. He found the general on his horse, with one leg over the pommel of the saddle. Saluting him, Major Ross said:
"General Walker intends to make a charge at this point, and would like to know if the enemy has a masked battery in front of us."
"I don't know, major," General Wheeler replied, "but I can soon find out," and swinging into position in his saddle, be galloped up to a slight eminence, accompanied by Major Ross and his staff and planted a guidon. A moment later a puff of smoke in the distance, and the sputtering of a shell as it flew over them showed what was ahead.
Turning to Major Ross, the general said: "Give General Walker my compliments, and say there is a masked battery in front of us."
Major Ross ventured the remark that it was a rather risky way of unmasking a battery.
"The first shots always fly high," was the cool reply. "It's the shots that follow that are dangerous."
"When I returned and reported to General Walker," said the major, "I requested him to send some one else the next time he wished batteries unmasked by General Wheeler."
Soon after the close of the war General Wheeler turned his thoughts to politics. He was sent to congress, and he has been a member of the house of representatives for many years. In politics he is an uncompromising Democrat; when a political question was up in congress, there was never any doubt where Wheeler was to be found. But on questions not strictly political, he differed often with his southern associates, and was bold and independent in his utterances. He spoke frequently and always well, commanding the attention of the house, and wielding an important influence.
His appointment as a major general by President McKinley was received with applause by the whole country. Everybody knew that he would give a good account of himself and everybody was glad to know that the most famous living ex-Confederate soldier was to fight under the Stars and Stripes. General Wheeler, though 62 years of age, accepted the president's commission and hurried off to Cuba, indifferent alike to yellow fever and Spanish bullets. In the fierce fighting before Santiago he did wonderful work, displaying the courage, dash, and generalship that made him famous in the civil war of thirty-five years ago. In his reports he praises his subordinates, but with characteristic modesty scarcely refers at all to himself.
General Wheeler is a poor man, and when he accepted a command in the army he did not resign his seat in congress. He knew that the war would be of brief duration, and he hoped that his constituents would re-nominate him this summer, and re-elect him in the fall. But astonishing as it may seem, General Wheeler had no sooner lauded on the soil of Cuba, than two prominent Democrats in his district began a canvass to prevent his re-nomination, and to succeed him in congress. His friends became alarmed and wrote to him, urging his return. His reply was characteristic: "I would like a re-election to congress, but I'm too busy in Cuba to go home to electioneer." This aroused his friends; they began vigorous work in his behalf, and now the gratifying news comes to the people of the North that the re-nomination and re-election of the gallant old soldier are certain. He ought to be reelected by a unanimous vote. The Republicans of his district have decided to nominate no candidate against him, and will take great pleasure in going to the polls and voting for him.
 |
| Major General Wesley Merritt. |
ONLY MANILA WAS GIVEN UP.
General Merritt Sends the Terms of Capitulation.
GIVEN OUT TO THE PUBLIC.
Nothing Said of the Capture of the Whole of Philippines.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 22.—The long looked for dispatches from General Merritt has been received by the war department and made public. The terms of the capitulation of Manila are as follows:
"The undersigned, having been appointed a commission to determine the details of the capitulation of the city and defenses of Manila and its suburbs and the Spanish forces stationed therein in accordance with agreement entered into the previous day by Major General Wesley Merritt, U. S. A., American commander-in-chief in the Philippines, and his Excellency Don Fermin Jardenes, acting general-in-chief of the Spanish army in the Philippines, have agreed upon the following:
"First—The Spanish troops, European and native, capitulate with the city and defenses, with all honors of war, depositing their arms in the places designated by the authorities of the United States, remaining in the quarters designated and under the orders of their officers, and subject to control of the aforesaid United States authorities until the conclusion of a treaty of peace between the two belligerent nations. All persons included in the capitulation remain at liberty, the officers remaining in their respective homes, which shall be respected as long as they observe the regulations prescribed for their government and the law in force.
Second—Officers shall retain their side arms, horses and private property. All public horses and public property of all kinds shall be turned over to staff officers designated by the United States.
"Third—Complete returns in duplicate of men by organizations and full lists of public property and stores shall be render to the United States within 16 days from this date.
"Fourth—All questions relating to the repatriation of the officers and men of the Spanish forces and of the families and of the expenses which said repatriation may occasion shall be referred to the government of the United States at Washington. Spanish families may leave Manila at any time convenient to them. The return of the arms surrendered by the Spanish forces shall take place when they evacuate the city and when the American army evacuates.
"Fifth—Officers and men included in the capitulation shall be supplied by United States according to their rank with rations and necessary aid as though they were prisoners of war, until the conclusion of a treaty of peace between the United States and Spain. All the funds in the Spanish treasury and all other public funds shall be turned over to the authorities of the United States.
"Sixth—This city, its inhabitants, its churches and religious worship, its educational establishments and its private property of all description are placed under the special safeguard of the faith and honor of the American army."
This is signed by F. V. Greene, brigadier general of volunteers, U. S. A.; B. L. Lamberton, captain U. S. N.; Charles A. Whittier, lieutenant colonel and inspector general; E. H. Crowder, lieutenant colonel and judge advocate; Nicholos De La Pena, auditor general, 'excts; Carlos Reyes, colonel de lngenier, O. S.; Jose Maria Olquen Fella, de estado major.
QUIET AT MANILA.
No Trouble Feared Between General Merritt and Aguinaldo.
HONG KONG, Aug. 22.—The steamer China from Manila, Aug. 18, has just arrived here. She reports that all is quiet at Manila, but that the attitude of the Spaniards is somewhat arrogant. It is believed that General Merritt will come to an agreeable arrangement with Aguinaldo.
According to the China's reports, all the insurgents entering the city are disarmed by the Americans. The China brought only the fleet's mails. Other mail matter will follow on the steamer Orus, which is expected hourly.
All the American fleet at Manila has not gone to capture Iloilo and Cebu, as has been reported.
WRITES FROM FT. GRUBLE.
Interesting Letter from Private Aaron Sager, Jr.
Major A. Sager last week received the following letter from his son, Aaron Sager, Jr., who is stationed at Fort Gruble [Greble] with the Seventh New York artillery:
FORT GRUBLE, Aug. 17, 1898.
DEAR FATHER—It is pay day and we have nothing to do but be present at roll call. I expect a pass to Newport Saturday to get a few things I need. They pay us only to the first of August. Our next pay day will be in September when we will be paid for service in August. Sunday last I went on guard duty. Went on at noon and remained until Monday noon. During the time was two hours on duty and four hours for rest. At night I was on from 7 until 9 and again from 1 to 3 A. M. The nights are not lonely. There are some moving about all through the night. Search lights from the ships can be seen on all sides of the island as also the reflection of the electric lights from the cities and towns around us. When it is foggy whistles and fogbells can be beard by the score. A young shark was caught down at the dock yesterday. They had quite a tussle getting him on land. It caused quite an excitement. I went in bathing this afternoon. The waves ran very high and were covered with white caps. It was the most fun I ever had in the water. Our fellows go out in swimming companies of about twenty and amuse themselves with racing.
I must give you our bill of fare; for dinner, meat stew, bread, coffee and hard tack. This is what we usually have. Once in a while we have beans, rice soup and frankforts in place of the meat stew. It is thought that we will move from here soon. It may be to the state of Washington or California but we can't tell. If we had gone to all the places talked about we would see the whole United States. I hope we may get away from here before the rainy season, as the fogs keep very damp. It is a wonder that more do not catch colds. Quite a number of the boys are sick, two or three have been sent to the hospital at Fort Adamy which is about five miles from us. The water we have is not very wholesome. This has caused some of the sickness. So far it has not affected me. I can think of nothing more that will interest, so will close with love to all.
Your affectionate son, AARON.
On Board the Olivette.
A dispatch from Norfolk, Va., Saturday announces the arrival at Hampton Roads of the army transport, Olivette, from Santiago with about 200 sick soldiers on board. Among the list of passengers is the name of Edward M. Griffith of Co. A, Thirteenth infantry, who is a son of Mrs. H. Griffith of Cortland. The vessel was boarded by the quarantine officer, who finding that there was no contagious disease aboard, placed the ship in quarantine and telegraphed the department at Washington that he would permit the patients to land.
FAIR OPENS TO-MORROW.
THAT THE EXHIBITION WILL BE BIG SUCCESS IS UNDOUBTED.
All is Hustle and Bustle at the Grounds—Exhibition Hall Rapidly Filling Up—Stock Arriving, Marion Mills is There—Big Attractions Each of the Four Days.
The sixteenth annual fair and exhibit of the Cortland County Agricultural society opens at the fair grounds to-morrow morning and continues through four entire days with big attractions each day.
Contrary to previous years, the day before the fair sees matters as far advanced as on the opening day of former years, and contrary to the previous custom, there will be big attractions on the afternoon of the first day aside from what is to be found on exhibition in the hall and on the grounds. The exhibits will be well arranged by that time, and there will also occur the 3:00 and 4:00 novelty horse races, not to be trotted or paced in less time than the time stated, owner to drive in sulky.
A $1 ticket will admit the holder and his entire family throughout the fair on each of the four days, and to the person holding the fortunate family ticket, Keator, Wells & Co. will give a $100 buggy. All persons holding season tickets will remember to deliver the same to the gatekeeper before 3 o'clock P. M. on the last day, Friday.
Marion Mills, the marvelous guideless wonder, is on the grounds in stall No. 28, and will give exhibitions of trotting without driver or harness on the afternoons of the last three days.
The State league ball games between Cortland and Auburn will be called at 1 o'clock P. M. on the afternoons of Wednesday and Thursday.
The poultry exhibit this year will be under a large tent located just inside and to the right of the entrance. Exhibitors are busy to-day in the hall both up stairs and down getting their exhibits in shape, and it must be said with truth that to-day there are more people at work on the grounds than on many of the opening days in previous pears. The agricultural implement exhibits are being arranged outside the buildings, and they will certainly be complete and comprehensive.
Only a few of the many attractions can be referred to at this time. But it is an undoubted fact that the fair of this year gives substantial promise of far outdoing any effort in past years, and of meeting with the unqualified success which it deserves.
"Happy Bill" Daniels and his orchestra will furnish music for dancing each day on a platform near the exhibition hall.
FELL FROM THE LOAD.
Mrs. Arnold of East Homer Stricken with Apoplexy.
Saturday afternoon between 2 and 3 o'clock Mrs. Martha Arnold, who lived with her son Milo Arnold, near Haights Gulf about three miles from East Homer, fell from a load of oats which she was helping her son get into the barn and was picked up dead. Dr. H. I. Van Hoesen of Truxton was called and found upon examination that she had suffered a stroke of apoplexy which caused her death. Mrs. Arnold had apparently been in her usual health up to the time of her death, except that during the past week she had several times complained of feeling tired. She was the widow of the late Albert Arnold and was about 67 years of age.
The funeral services will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Methodist church in East Homer.
BREVITIES.
—The village schools will open for the fall term Tuesday, Sept. 6, and the Normal, Wednesday, Sept. 14.
—Buy a season ticket and take the whole family to the Cortland county fair. It costs but $1 and is good for every day.
—New display advertisements to-day are—J. L. Kerr, State Fair, page 8; Stowell, Dinner Sets, page 6; F. Daehler, Closing Out Sale, page 6; Samson's Compound, page 5.
—The Y. M. C. A. cornroast will be held this evening in Crane's grove west of Cortland. Let every one be at the association rooms promptly at 7 o'clock to start.
—Cortland milkmen will make but one delivery of milk per day to easterners during the remainder of the season. The evening delivery will be discontinued from this date.
—During the fair the northbound cars or cars running to the fair grounds will use the Main-st. line and the southbound cars, returning from the grounds will be run over the Homer-ave. line.
No comments:
Post a Comment