Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 1.djvu/761

Rh gan, of Alabama. Subsequently General Wheeler with his cavalry led the advance of Longstreet against Knoxville, defeating Burnside’s cavalry, and capturing trains, batteries and nearly a thousand prisoners, and then being recalled to Bragg’s assistance, gallantly defended the rear of the Confederate army on November 26th, and co-operating with General Cleburne on the next day at Ringgold Gap, put a final check to Grant’s pursuit. During 1864, throughout the operations of J. E. Johnston and Hood, he performed the duties of a lieutenant-general, in command of the cavalry corps of the army of Tennessee, and was distinguished for activity and skill. Every effort of Sherman’s great army to turn the Confederate flank was met and successfully baffled by Wheeler, and every change of position was made without loss under his watchful protection. Late in July, with a force of less than 5,000, he defeated 9,000 Federal cavalry under Generals Stoneman, McCook and Garrard, capturing their batteries and trains and 3,200 prisoners, including one major-general and five brigade commanders. Sherman’s cavalry having been crippled, General Wheeler proceeded to attack his lines of communication, recapturing Dalton and Resaca, destroying railroad bridges, diverting to Hood the Federal supplies and capturing many prisoners, while to his rear a hundred thousand Federals formed a line of fire about the doomed city of Atlanta. In October he co-operated with Hood in the advance against Sherman s communications, and after Hood had entered Tennessee Wheeler put his little cavalry command before Sherman’s 65,000 en route through Georgia. He successfully defended Macon and Augusta, and before Savannah held open the only avenue of escape for Hardee’s army. As has been written by President Davis, &quot; The report of his operations from November 14th to December 20th displays a dash, activity, vigilance and consummate skill, which justly entitle him to a prominent place on the roll of great cavalry leaders. By his indom-