Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-05-05
Gen, William Wells

In tho death Of Gan. Wells, the brief an
nouncement Of which, on Saturday last.
brought sorrow to so many hearts, the city
OF Burlington loses one Of its foremost cit-
zens and the state Of Vermont one of its
worthiest, best known and universally re-
spectcd citizens.
William Wells was born in Waterbury, In
this State, being son of the late Hon. Will
liam v. Wells, who vas prominent bust
ness man of that town, a graduate of the
University OF Vermont, q member of the
Eleventh Council OF Censors OF Vermont
and representative, town treasurer and Sc
lectman Of Waterbury for many years. OF
his ten children, nine OF whom were sons,
and four Of these soldiers in the army of the
Union. William was the third. He received
his early education in the schools OF his
native town, aud at Barre and Meriden
academies. At 10 he entered his fathers
store as clerk, showed at once marked
business capacity, and in two three years
was placed in charge OF his father Touring
mills and extensive wholesale -four aud
grain business. When The war of the rebel
lion broke out he returned to Vermont from
rarily stationed In tho business, and in
August, 1861, when the First Vermont Cay
airy regiment was raised, he enlisted as g
private in Company of that reg IN ,nt, as
sisted IN recruiting the company was elected
| first lieutenant when it organized in Octo-
Der, 'Gl, was promoted to be captain the
next month, and went out as such with the
regiment when it took the field in December.
lie soon became recognized as one OF the
most Efficient company commanders in the
line, and October 80, 1862, when Major
Sawyer was made colonel, be succeeded him
as ma jor. In all the hard service, internal
discussions and trying experiences of the
regiment, he held the respect and confidence
| Of his superiors and subordinates, and when
the gallant Col Preston fell at Salem
Church, Va, June 3, 1864, Major Wells
was, tho next day, upon the united
recommendation OF the officers OF
the regiment, promoted TO the col
onelcy. On the 22d Of February,
1865, he was breyetted brigadier general
for mertoriou3 service; on the 30th OF
March he was breyctted major general, and
on the 10Th Of May was commissioned as q
fall brigadier, for gallant and faithful ser
vice during the war-having received more
promotions than any other Vermont officer
during the war. lIo distinguished himseli
repeatedly in action. He was in the thick
est o., tho sabre fight at Orange Cour
House, Va, Aug. ., 1852. lie commands
tie second cavalry battalion in the repuls,
Of stusrL's cavalry at Hanover Pa, Jun,
80, 1868, which prevented Stuart irou
joining Lee, and deprived tho latter of hi
cavalry for the first two days of the bsttl,
OF Gettysburg. In thu famous and despsr
ate cavalry charge on Lees left on thu
third day ct Gettysburg. Major Well
commanded the Leading battalion; rode a
the side Of Gen. Farnsworth, and, almost b.
e miracle, came out unframed, while hi.
brigade commander fell in the midst Of tn
enemy's infantry. Eight days later, in
savage cavalry melee at Boonsboro, Md.
he was wounded by sabre cut but not 81
} severely as . keep him long out of the sad
! lie. a medal Of honor was awarded hin
by Congress FOR distinguished gallantr,
? at the battle OF Gettysburg July
1868. Al Culpepper Court House, Va.
: Sept. Is, 1863 where he charged the enemy
, artillery with his regiment, aud captured
piece, he WAS egain sightly wound
. cd by fragment OF shell. After the retur
r cs the RET mt from Kilpatrick's raid, i
8 No~ch. 1885, Major Wells was dstaohs
. d. ,..c.1 IA GJ-4-l-II Of Ito ssYelt