Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1864-01-27
Major General Joseph Wheeler.

MAJOR General Joseph wheeler.
"P. W. A" correspondent of the SaVan
nah Republican, gives the following bio
graphical sketch of this accomplished Off
Ger:
This modest and excellent officer. was
born in Augusta, Georgia, on the 10th Of
September, 1886, and is consequently on
ly 81 years of age. Early in life he chose
the profession of arms, and entered West
Point in 1854, being one of the first who
graduated under the five years rule. His
career at West Point developed the fact that
be was one of the few who was born to the
profession of arms. Whilst other students
passed their leisure hours in sports and in
reading the aromances of the day, young
Wheeler would be found. in the library,
studying with the deepest interest the vol.
umes which treated of campaigns and bat
ties, both Of modern and ancient times, and
in examining military maps and the plans
of battles of distinguished commanders. In
October, 1859, he was ordered to the caval.
ry school at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and
there remained on duty during the winter.
In the spring of 1860, we find him in New
Mexico, stationed, respectively, at Forts
Union, Craig and Fillmore, and engaging in
several important scouts against the hostile
Indians.
Early in March, 1861, seeing the storm
cloud of war gathering over his country, he
promptly decided upon his course; and
when his native State seeded, he at once
forwarded his resignation and returned to
Georgia. Immediately on his arrival, he
rendered his services to the Congress of the
Confederate Government, and was commits
stoned first Lieutenant of Artillery in the
regular army, and ordered on duty. at Pen
COLA Here he exhibited so much zeal and
capacity, that upon the special recommen-
dation of Gen. Bragg, the President during
the summer commissioned him Colonel, and
assigned him to the command of the nine
teenth regiment of Alabama infantry. We
next hear of him at the head of his we'll
drilled and gallant regiment in the bloody
battle of Shiloh, where his behavior attract
ed the attention and received the encomi-
ums of a number of distinguished officers.
He had two horses shot under him during
the engagement, and led frequent charges
with the colors of his regiment in his hands.
Soon after the battle, he was assigned to the
command of brigade, and when General
Beauregard withdrew his army from Cor
iuth, to Wheeler and his brigade was con-
fded the honorable and perilous duty of
bringing up the rear and beating back the
pursuing column of the enemy. The nu-
merous conflicts with, and charges upon
the Federal forces at Bridge creek and 9th:
er points, tell how we'll they executed this
responsible trust.
In July, 1862, he was placed in charge
of the cavalry connected with the army in
Mississippi, and in few days thereafter he
penetrated the enemY's lines, destroyed
several bridges on his line of communica.
cations in West Tennessee, engaged in nu-
merous conflicts with his cavalry, captured
small train with number Of horses, mules,
&c., and burned 5000 bales Of cotton which
had been purchased by the enemy. He
rendered most valuable servicesin the Ken
tucky campaign. His conduct at Mum.