History of Wheeler, (Lawrence County) Alabama United States of America

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Joseph Wheeler, soldier, was born at Augusta, Ga., Sept. 10, 1836; son of Joseph and Julia Knox (Hull) Wheeler; grandson of Joseph and India (Hull) Wheeler, and of William and Sarah (Fuller) Hull, and a descendant of Moses Wheeler and of Richard Hull, both Puritan settlers in New England. When quite young, General Wheeler's father moved from Derby, Conn., to Augusta, Ga., and Joseph attended school in New England and New York; was graduated at the U.S. Military academy in 1859 and was promoted brevet 2d lieutenant, 1st regiment of dragoons; was at Cavalry school, Carlisle, Pa., in 1859; served in Kansas and New Mexico until April; 1861; was promoted 2d lieutenant, regiment of mounted riflemen (3d regiment of cavalry) Sept. 1, 1850, and resigned April 22, 1861. He was immediately commissioned 1st lieutenant of artillery in the Confederate States army, and on Sept. 4, 1861, was promoted colonel in the infantry. At Shiloh, April 6-7, 1862, he went into the battle in command of the 19th Alabama regiment, but was immediately placed in command of a brigade in the 2d division commanded by Gen. John M. Withers, 2d corps under Gen. Braxton Bragg. On the evening of the 7th he was with his brigade, selected to cover the withdrawal of the army from the field. During April and May Colonel Wheeler commanded the troops in front of Corinth, having many engagements, and was given the command of the rear guard and warmly engaged by the advancing Federal column during the retreat of the Confederate army from Corinth to Tupelo, Miss. When in July, 1862, Bragg decided to transfer the Army of Mississippi to Chattanooga, Tenn., to prevent the capture of that city, he sent Wheeler with a brigade of cavalry into Western Tennessee to mislead the enemy and prevent the advance on Tupelo. Wheeler rode from Holly Springs, Miss., to Bolivar, Tenn., attacking the Union outposts there, fighting a number of skirmishes, and interrupting communications between Bolivar and Jackson. In September, 1862, Bragg advanced into Tennessee, and Buell, then at Nashville, discovering his object to be Louisville, Ky., made all haste to reach that city first, but Colonel Wheeler, hastened to Bowling Green, with a brigade of cavalry, and there placing himself across Buell's path, delayed the Federal army enough to allow Bragg to reach Munfordville, Ky., the junction of the two routes, ahead of Buell, thus enabling Bragg to capture the Federal fort at that place together with its extensive armament and over 4000 prisoners. Wheeler commanded the cavalry at Perryville, Oct. 8, 1862, and October 13, was appointed chief of cavalry, and was charged with covering the rear of Bragg's army during its retreat to Morristown, Tenn. the retreat lasted until October 26, and Wheeler fought 26 engagements in those 13 days, and on October 30 was promoted brigadier-general. On November 26, Bragg's army advanced to Murfreesboro, Tenn., Rosecrans's army began to arrive on December 29, and on that day, Wheeler led his brigade around the left flank to the rear of Rosecrans; attacked a brigade at Jefferson, destroying 20 wagons; captured a corps supply train at Laverque, and, making another capture at Nolensville, joined the Confederates, having in 24 hours captured 400 wagons and over 1000 prisoners, destroyed a million dollars worth of property and supplied his cavalry with many fresh mounts. He commanded all of the Confederate cavalry engaged at Stone's River and received the thanks of the Confederate congress for his services in that battle. He was promoted major-general, Jan. 19, 1863, and during the winter and spring of 1862-63 commanded many cavalry engagements. His next important battle was at Chickamauga, Ga., Sept. 19-20, 1863, where he commanded a corps of cavalry. His fighting in this battle was desperate, and after Rosecrans fell back to Chattanooga he crossed the Tennessee river, attacked the Federal line of communication, defeated a large Federal force, captured an ordnance and supply train of more than a thousand wagons, reducing Rosecrans's army to a condition bordering upon starvation. He then stormed and captured the fortifications at McMinville, which were defended by a force of 700 men. The vast depots of supplies which were stored at this place were then destroyed. He then captured the fortifications which guarded the railroad bridges over Stone's River, at Murfreesboro and other points, and after thoroughly destroying many railroad bridges and much of the railroad track upon Rosecrans's line of communication between Nashville and Chattanooga, he successfully recrossed the Tennessee river and rejoined the main army in front of Chattanooga. This work occupied constant fighting from September 30 to October 9, the opposing force being commanded by Generals Hooker, Crook, Mitchell and McCook, and numbering 14,000 infantry and 8000 cavalry. In November, he was sent to assist Longstreet, who was opposed to Burnside at Knoxville. He returned, however, in time to cover Bragg's retreat from Missionary Ridge, and to fight the battle of Ringgold. When Sherman started on his invasion in May, 1864, Wheeler's cavalry opposed his advance step by step. On May 9, he defeated a large cavalry force under Generals McCook and La Grange at Varnell's Station, capturing General La Grange and 300 prisoners. He fought at Dalton, Dug Gap and Snake Creek Gap, May 10 to 12, Resaca May 13 to 15, Adairsville, May 16, Cass Station, May 22, New Hope, May 25, and commanded in the desperate engagement with Howard's corps at Pickett's Mill, May 27. The fighting was almost continuous during June and July. He commanded the right in the battle of July 22, penetrated to the rear of Sherman's army at Decatur, capturing trains, prisoners and much property. July 28 to August 1 he fought and defeated the raiding column of cavalry, ten thousand strong, commanded by General McCook, Stoneman and Garrard, and captured 3200 prisoners, together with their horses, arms and artillery. He participated in the almost continuous battles around Atlanta until August 9, 1864, when he started on a raid through northern Georgia and middle Tennessee, during which he destroyed Sherman's railroad line of communication and captured 1700 beef cattle, many prisoners and vast supplies and material. When Sherman started for the sea, Wheeler again contested his advance, but the country was open, the roads and weather good, and although Wheeler fought valiantly he was forced back rapidly. He successfully defended the cities of Macon and Augusta, in both of which were located extensive workshops and ordnance factories of the Confederacy. He fought in front of Sherman in the South Carolina campaign, successfully defending Aiken and again defending the city of Augusta, and was distinguished in the battle of Averysboro. He was promoted lieutenant-general on Feb. 28, 1865, and fought his last big battle at Bentonville, N. C., March 18, 1865. After the war, he made his home in Alabama, engaged in planting and in the practice of law, and in 1866 declined the chair of philosophy at the Louisiana state seminary. He was a Democratic representative from the 8th Alabama district in the 47th, 49th-56th congresses, serving, 1881-83, and 1885-1900. On May 4, 1898, he was commissioned major-general of volunteers, and was assigned to the command of the cavalry division of the U.S. army sent to Cuba. He defeated a Spanish force under Lieutenant-General Linares at Las Guasimas; was senior officer in immediate command of the field at San Juan, July 1-2, arid was senior member of the commission which negotiated the surrender of Santiago. On August 18, he was assigned to the command of the U.S. forces at Montauk, Long Island and on Oct. 5. 1898, was made commander of the 4th army corps. He was honorably discharged from the service, April 12, 1899, and on April 15 was commissioned brigadier-general of volunteers, commanding the 1st brigade, 2d division, 8th corps in the Philippine Islands, fighting at Santa Rita, Sept. 9 and 16, 1899, at Porac, September 28, and Angeles, October 10-17. On April 20, 1900, he resigned from the 56th congress, to which he had been unanimously elected, and was succeeded by William Richardson. His volunteer commission was vacated June 18, 1900, by his appointment, June 16, as brigadier-general, U.S.A. He commanded the Department of the Lakes until Sept. 10, 1900, when he was retired. General Wheeler was married at Wheeler, Ala., Feb. 8, 1866, to Daniella, daughter of Richard and Lucy (Early) Jones of Lawrence county, Ala., and granddaughter of Harrison Jones, a Revolutionary soldier, and of Gov. Peter Early of Georgia. Mrs. Wheeler died, May 19, 1896. Of their children, Joseph was graduated at the U.S. military academy in 1895, and served with volunteer rank of major in the Spanish and Philippine wars, and Thomas Harrison entered the U.S. naval academy in 1897; served on the Columbia during the Spanish war and was [p.372] drowned at Camp Wikoff, Sept. 7, 1898. General Wheeler received from Georgetown university the honorary degree of LL.D. in 1899, and is the author of The Santiago Campaign (1899).

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Wheeler, (Lawrence County) Alabama

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