Cindy Stiene
Gen Joe Wheeler in an family legend
Wed Nov 22 22:47:33 2000


A family legend concerning Gen Joe Wheeler's sword has been handed down one branch of our family since the end of the Civil War. Supposedly, when Wheeler was on his way to surrender at the end of the war, he handed his sword to James A. M. Barkley of Morgan Co., AL for safekeeping until he could retrieve it at a later date. Barkley kept the sword until Wheeler reclaimed it a few years later.

Does anyone have any recommendations on where/how I may be able to verify this legend? James Barkley served in Co. C of an unknown AL Inf unit. His brother Albert, served in the 22 AL Inf, and his baby brother, Henry Clay, served in the 5th AL CAV. All were from Morgan Co., AL.

Thanks for your help.