WHEELER
AYHEELER
major-general, Jan. 19, 1S63, and during the
winter and spring of 1862-63 commanded many
cavahy engagements. His next important battle
was at Chickamauga, Ga., Sept. 19-20, 1863, where
lie commanded a corjis of cavalry. His fighting
in this battle was desperate, and after Rosecrans
fell back to Chattanooga he crossed the Tennes-
see river, attacked the Federal line of communi-
cation, defeated a large Federal force, captured
an ordnance and supply ti-ain of more than a thou-
sand wagons, reducing Rosecrans's army to a
condition bordering upon starvation. He then
stormed and captured the fortifications at Mc!Min-
ville, 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
liGtween Nashville and Chattanooga, he succes-
f ully recrossed the Tennessee river and rejoined
t!ie main army in front of Chattanooga. This
work occupied constant fighting from September
30 to October 9, the opposing force being com-
manded l)y Generals Hooker, Crook, Mitchell and
McCook, and numbering 14.000 infantry and 8000
cavalry. In November, he was sent to assist
Longstreet, who Avas 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, 186-1, Wheeler's
cavalry opposed his advance step by step. On
Jlay 9, he defeated a large cavalry force under
Generals McCook and La Grange at VarnelFs
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, Nevi' Hope, May 25. and commanded
in the desperate engagement with Howard's
corps at Picketfs Mill, May 27. The figliting
was almost continuous during June and July.
He commanded the riglit 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 lie fought and
defeated the raiding column of cavalry, ten
thousand strong, commanded by General McCook,
Stoneman and Garrard, and captured 3200 pris-
oners, together with their horses, arms and ar-
tillery. He participated in the almost contin-
uous 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 communica-
tion and captured 1700 beef cattle, many pris-
oners and vast supplies and material. When
Sherman started for the sea, Wheeler again con-
tested his advance, but the country- was open, the
roads and weather good, and although Wheeler
fought valiantly he was forced back rapidlj-.
He successfully defended the cities of Macon and
Augusta, in both of which were located exten-
sive workshops and ordnance factories of the Con-
federacy. 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 Averys-
boro. 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 repre-
sentative 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 ofllicer in immediate com-
mand of the field at San Juan, July 1-2. and was
senior member of the commission wiiich nego-
tiated 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 4tli army
corps. He was honorably discharged from the
service, April 12, 1899, and on April 15 was com-
missioned brigadier-general of volunteers, com-
manding the 1st brigade, 2d division, 8th corps in
the Pliilippine Islands, fighting at Santa Rita,
Sept. 9 and 16, 1899, at Porac, September 28, and
Angeles, October 10-17. On April 20. 1900, he re-
signed 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, L'.S.A. He com-
manded 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 countj', Ala., and grand-
daughter of Harrison Jones, a Revolutionary
soldier, and of Gov. Peter Early (q.v.) 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
