Joseph Wheeler

Joseph Wheeler
(National Archives)

Name: Joseph Wheeler
Allegiance: CSA
Rank:Major General
Age: 27
State of Origin: Georgia
Command: Chief of Cavalry, Army of Tennessee

Biography:
Joseph Wheeler was born in Augusta, Georgia but was predominantly raised in the northern states by extended family members after the death of his mother. He got his military start at West Point, where he was a mediocre student, and graduated in 1859. After West Point, he spent time at cavalry school in Pennsylvania. Upon his completion of cavalry school, he was assigned to New Mexico, where he fought skirmishes against Indian tribes for several months.

The beginning of the Civil War pulled Wheeler back from New Mexico where he followed his Georgian roots, quickly resigned his commission and joined the Confederate States of America as a First Lieutenant of artillery. He was stationed in Florida where he served under Braxton Bragg who was so impressed with Wheeler that he ensured a promotion for Wheeler. Wheeler then accompanied Bragg as a Colonel in the infantry, making his name at the Battle of Shiloh.

As a sure rider and fair leader, he was eventually transferred to commanding cavalry units. The continued success of his actions and raids by his cavalry saw that he had been promoted to Major General, the commander of all the cavalry in the Army of Tennessee by late 1863. Though his in-battle actions were less than spectacular, his raids and excursions surrounding the Battle of Chickamauga were highly successful in gathering information and destroying communication and supply lines that Union troops were dependent upon. He was often commended for his ability to screen and cover his leaders as they retreated from Union attacks, something he did often until the end of the war.

He was captured in May of 1865, the senior cavalry officer of the CSA, and paroled shortly thereafter when the war was over. He spent the rest of his life involved in different activities, including planting and politics, before rejoining the military to fight in the Spanish American War. He is one of the only Confederate soldiers to now rest in peace in Arlington National Cemetery, remembered for his long service, including more than 200 separate engagements in the Civil War.

Author: Haley Thistlethwaite, January 28, 2015

Further Reading:
John C. Fredriksen,“Joseph Wheeler.” American National Biography. Oxford University Press: 2010.
Steven E. Woodworth, Six Armies in Tennessee: The Chickamauga and Chattanooga Campaigns. Bison Books, 1999.