Joseph Wampler Vance (May 21, 1841 – December 14, 1927) was an American soldier from Illinois. Educated at the United States Military Academy, Vance was named a tactical instructor of Union troops upon the outbreak of the Civil War. He served alongside William Rosecrans as Acting Assistant Adjutant General, then as Aide-de-Camp to William Carlin. Vance participated in the battles of Fredericktown, Farmington, Liberty Gap, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, and Kennesaw Mountain. Following the war, Vance helped to found the Illinois National Guard, eventually rising to become Adjutant General of Illinois (1884–1891).