The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Wheaton, Frank

1163671The Encyclopedia Americana — Wheaton, Frank

WHEATON, hwē'tȯn, Frank, American military officer: b. Providence, R. I., 8 May 1833; d. Washington, D. C., 18 June 1903. He was educated at Brown University, went to California in 1852 and studied law at Poitiers, France; lieutenant in the United States cavalry, subsequently participated in various Indian campaigns, and at the outbreak of the Civil War was promoted captain. He served with the Army of the Potomac through the war, was promoted brigadier-general of volunteers in 1862, commanded a division at Gettysburg and in the Shenandoah, and was engaged in other famous movements. He was made colonel in 1874, brigadier-general in 1892 and major-general in 1897. He was retired in the year last named.