Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-05-12
Gen. William Wells.

In the death of Gen. William Wells
Burlington loses an honorable citizen ano
Vermonta distinguished son. He died al
New York Friday, Apr. 29and was buried
at Burlington Maya. Arrangements were
in charge of the Vermont commandery OF
the Loyal Legion and he rites were par
ticipated in by he Massachusetts COM
mandery OF that order, the military socie-
ty OF the LIST Vermont cavalry, the Bur
lington and Rock Point cadets, the mill
tary and civic orders of Burlington, Gov.
Page and staff, and other state officers.
Flags of the city were placed al half mast.
Gen. Wells was a brilliant soldier, an
able business man, and a man widely low
ed and respected. He was born ia Water
bury. VT, Of English parentage, and edu-
Gated in CONNIE Il schools, in Barre acade-
my and in the himball Union academy of
Meriden, ". a., and at 10 entered business
life with his father at Waterbury.
In August 1861 he enlisted in the First
Regiment of Vermont Cavalry, and as
sisted in raising Company c, OF which he
was a member. On the nth Of October,
! 1861, William Wells was chosen first lieut.
enant of his company. becoming its cap
tain on the 18th Of November following
and by regular graduation rose 10 the rank
OF maio on the 30th Of October, 1852
June 4, 1854, he received the commission
OF colonel OF his regiment: on the I'D OF
February, 1865 he was breyetted brigadier-
general, on the 30th of the next month he
was brevetted major-general, ana on the
18th OF May, 1885, he received a commits
sion as brigadier- general.
The details OF the part taken By General
Wells In the war involve history Of his
regiment. II was stationed on the ex-
treme left OF the army at gettysburg and
delivered an effective charge on the ene-
my, penetrating its line about three-quar
tiers OF mile; was actively engaged at
Hagarstown, Md, July 6, 1868; at Boones-
boro, July S, 1858, where General Wells
was wounded by a sabre thrust, and at
Culpepper Court House. Sept 49, 1853
where he was wounded again by the
bursting OF a she'll the regiment then un
der his command capturing piece OF the
eDemy's artillery. He served under Cen
erals Fitzpatrick, Sheridan and Custer,
and accompanied Sheridan in his raid on
Richmond and in the famous cavalry fight |
at Yellow Tavern where General Stewart 1
was killed. He also went with Sheridan /
through the Shenandoah Valley and down /
the James River to the Army OF the Poto-
mac. His regiment formed part OF Will
sons command in the raid on the rear OF /
Richmond, curiag the ten days of which |
the command unsaddled only twice. At
Cedar Creek Gen. Wells acted as colonel |
a brigade OF which the Yer
mont Cavalry formed a part, his regiment /
in connection with the Fifth New York
Cavalry, capturing no less than As pieces
OF artillery, of which the Vermont boys
were credited with %. On the departure
OF Sheridan and Custer for Texas, Gen.
Wells was ranking officer OF the Cavalry
Corps, and after the surrender OF Lee he
brigade at Fairfax Court House,
Va. Though his regiment returned home
In the summer OF 1865, he having been
promoted to brigadierg general for gallan-
try at Cedar Cedar. he WAS not mustered
out until Jan. Is, 1866. This is the brief
outline OF his army experience, EN- bracing
much that was not glory, days and weeks
81 hardsl ip and priyation which only
those can appreciate who have SLEPT in
the saddle or "on tented fieldn
After his return to Waterbury he be-
came partner IN the firm OF Henry x Co.
wholesale druggists, who transferred
their business to Burlington in 1865. In
1917 the firm was changed TO Wells, Rich
lrdson CO., the general Withdrawing
from the firm 10 accept the position OF
OF Customs OF Vermont, tender
ed to him by President Grant, and during
The thirteen years which he held the posi-
ton he accounted for every cent OF the
vast sums which passed through his
hands. He resigned his position in 1855.
He represented his native town in the
legislature of 1866 and 1867. serving on
he committee on military affairs. In 1866
he was elected by the legislature to the
office of adjutant and INSPECTOR general,
holding toe office until 1872 when he was
appointed Collector OF Customs. In 1886
he was chosen senator from Chittenden
county, which position he filled with
,redit 20 himself and his party.
Gen. Wells was prominently identified
With large number of the most import
INT enterprises and industries OF Burling-
on and OF this state. He was president !
md director of the Burlington Trust Co.,
director and clerk of the Rutland Rail-
Dad company, president OF the Burling- !
on Gas Light company, director of the
,hamplain transportation company, pres
dent and one of the trustees of the Yer
mont Soldiers Home, chairman OF the ex-
'eutive committee OF the Champlain VAL :
ey association and the Lake Champlain |
Yacht club, president of the Algonquin
Tub, besides filling many other offices of !
rust in Vermont and neighboring states.
He was a member of Stannard Post, No. ]
I, q. A. r. ant had several times refused !
he office OF department commander. The l
amp of Sons of Veterans of Burlington
n which he took deep interest bears his !
ame.
Gen. Wells was united in m arriage, on
he 18th day of January 1866 with Ara
anna, daughter OF Edwin Richardson OF I
'itchburg, Mass, who with two children, 2
rank r. and Bert ha r. survive him