Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-19

and meritorious services in the battle of the
Wilderness: promoted to colonel October 10,
1854, for gallant and mertorious services
in the battle of Cedar Creek, Va; to briga-
der general March Ii, 1865 for gallant and
meritorious services in the capture of Pc
tersburg, Va, and major general March ID,
1865, for gallant and meritorious services
during the war. Born at Providence. r. l.,
May 8, 1888, he was appointed first lieuten-
ant in the LIST Cavalry March 3, 1855. and.
as stated, was promoted through the va
rious grades to major general April 2. 1897.
Having reached the age of sixty four years
May 8. 1897. he was placed on the retired
list by operation of law
In July, 1866. Gen.. Wheaton received
from his native state, Rhode Island,
sword of honor. inscribed Presented to
Brevet MAI Gen. Frank Wheaton T. s..
Volunteers for gallant and meritorious
services during the war, and especially at
the battles of OpeQuan, Fishers Hill and
Middletown, by the state of Rhode Island.
through James I. Smith, governor, in con-
formity with a resolution of the general
assembly, passed at the January session,
1865"
Wheaton's Charge at Fort Stevens.
General Wheaton commanded the charge
that drove the rebels from their position
in front of Fort Stevens at the time of
Earlys attempt to capture Washington.
General McCooks report says of the
charge:
General Frank Wheaton, United States
Volunteers, was ordered to direct the move
mentS of the aSSaulting troops. These
troops having gained their position pre-
vtous to assault at about pm, the two
positions held by the enemy were vigorously
shelled from Fort Stevens. Then at a sig
nal Wheaton's troop dashed forward. and
after spirited contest gained the ground.
This attack developed new forces of the
enemy that had been concealed in a ra-
vine beyond Mrs. Lays house, and in the
depression beyond the copse on the right
of the road. The enemy's line was rein
forced by at least brigade. The contest
was kept UP until after dark, we having
gained all the ground desired, and rude
Sketch of His Career.
The official records of the War Depart
ment give the following particulars of Gen.
Wheaton's military career:
He was on recruiting service July to
November, 1855. On November 2. 1855, he
joined his regiment and served with 1t In
Kansas to August, 1856: escorting Sioux
chiefs to Fort Kearney, Neb, to November.
1896. On August 26, 1856, while command
ing detachment of E and G companies
of his regiment on this duty he pursued
and attacked party of Cheyenne Indians
on Wood river. near Fort Kearney, Neb..
general orders IA, headquarters of the
army, November 49, 1857. On recruiting
service November, 1856, to February, 1857;
with his regiment at Fort Leavenworth.
Kan, to May, 1857; in the field on expedi-
ton against the Cheyenne Indians to Au-
gust, 1857, being engaged in the action at
SolomOn's Fork, Kansas river Kan, July
20. and in the skirnish with Cheyennes and
Kiowas near Grand Saline August @, 1857;
on duty at Fort Leavenworth, Kan, Au-
fn
cember g. 1857: aid-de-camp to Gen. Persi
fer f. Smith to May II, 1853 and escort
ing Gen. Smiths remains to Philadelphia,
Pa, to May q. 1858; aid-de-camp to Gen.
Harvey on the Utah expedition to July %.
1883; with regiment in Indian territory to
October IA, 1883; leayeSto April 1859;
with regiment in Indian territory to May,
1850; on recruiting service to April. 1851.
and on mastering duty at Albany, N. Y.
to July, 1861.
He was in the volunteer service from
July 10. 1861, to April 80 1886.
He was on leave and awaiting orders
April 10 to November. 1886 when he joined
his regiment and commanded 1T at Green
vile, La, to June. 1867, and at New Or
leans. La, to December, 1867; awaiting or
ders to March, 1868, and member of re-
firing board 9srS in New York city to Novem-
He rejoined his regiment December 20
1868, and commanded 1t at New Orleans
Louisiana, to April. 1869. when he was
transferred to the 21st Infantry. and pro-
ceeded with 1t to Arizona, serving there
to November, 1870 being in command of
northern Arizona and actively engaged
in field operations against hostile Apache
Indians; commanding regiment at Drum
Barracks, California. November, 1870, to
December 1871 at the Preside, California,
to May. 1872; at Camp Warner and Fort
Klamath, Oregon and also commanding
the district of lakes Gin the field on ex-
petition against Modoc Indians. December
1872, to February. 1879 to July. 1874: in
vestigating Indian war claims to October,
1874; commanding Fort Walla Walla.
Washington. October 5, 1874 to May 13.
1875; on leave to November rs, 1916.
As Department Commander.
He rejoined the I'd Infantry November 80.
1875, commanding it at Atlanta. Georgia.
to July Is. 1877: en- route to and at Fort
Lapwai, Idaho. also commanding the dis
trict of Clearwater. September 2. 1871 to
August. 1879, being stationed at Fort Walla