The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1891-01-08
ALGAR M. WHEELER

IFrom the Buffalo New York; Sunday Truth,

The new administration of the Buff
talo postoffice is now fully under weigh.
Its most conspicuous feature, after its
chief, whose portrait we printed some
weeks ago, is Assistant Postmaster
Algar M. Wheeler, Buffalo boy who
was in his nineteenth year and had
just graduated from the Central school
when the war broke out. He was a
sergeant in Co. B, of the 74th Regi-
ment, the first Cadet company of Buf-
falo. 1t became Co. B, of the 21st
Regiment, the first which was sent
from Buffalo to the war. 1t was the
"Boy Company" composed entirely
OF members under FL years of age,
and on raising it to war strength he re-
celved his first commission as Lieuten
ant. The 2Ist was considered one OF
the finest regiments in the Army of the
Potomac, and Wheeler's company was
acknowledged by the Colonel and the
men of the command to be its crack
company. Captain Wheeler on many
occasions drilled item for visitors,
once Le!,re Admiral Dahlgren at the
Washington navy yard, who said it was
the best drilled company he had ever
seen and beat his marines, as we'll as
the 9TH and 71st New York regiments,
then in Washington.
Captain Wheeler served with the
regiment through all its engagements,
and when it was mustered out of SER
vice he raised from the old regiment
and brigade, at personal expense of
some $4,000, which he was never re-
paid. the famous battery known as
Wheeler's (Bufalo) Light Battery,
which served in the Army of the Poto-
mac and the James till the surrender of
Lee.
This battery was noted for its drill,
discipline and fighting qualities, and it
won for its members, their commander
and for Buffalo honors that reflect
credit upon all and page in history
that all loyal Buffalonians are proud Of
Major Wheeler was twice promoted.
and was brevetted Major for gallant
and mertorlous conduct. Twice also
he received special mention for per-
sonal acts on the battlefield. He
served for time as "aide'' upon the
staff of General Patrick, and as chief
of artillery in General Aues's division,
but was relieved at his own request to
command the battery at the front.
He was in the service continuously
from April, 1861, to June, 1865, and
altogether was in over 40 battles, skir-
mishes and engagements At the sec
ond battle of Manassas he was
wounded while carrying off the colors,
after eleven others had been killed and
wounded with them, and after losing
in his own company seven killed and
16 wounded out of the "a men (boys)
who went in with him. This percent
age of loss is said not TO have been ex
ceeded by any regiment or company
in any one battle during the war.
He fired at Petersburg the last guns
of the war in salute of 90 guns in
the public square.
The flag of the regiment which he
carried off a. Manassas was the one
presented the 21st Regiment by the
young ladies of the Central School.
Miss Julia Paddock, who made the
presentation speech, was a class-mate
of the Major. 1t seemed especially
appropriate that he should defend it.
Among the killed and wounded carry
ing the colors were Louis P. Beyers, +.
W. Bishop, Louis Kirchmeyer, Henry
Spicer, Lieut.. Barney and others, we'll
known Buffalonians. In this company
also were the Mulligan brothers, Jim
and Gregg, (both killed. William Hen
gerer, of Barnes, Hengerer & Co., Jim
McLeish, OF McLeish Bros, and score
of other well-known citizens OF to-day.
This company of boys was remarkable
IN many ways and were an example OF
what General Sherman stated as fact,
that the best soldiers were young men
of good families, raised in cities and
accustomed to irregular hours, food
and dissipation. The General said
they seemed to stand army life better