Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-18
WHEATON MONUMENT
TO BE UNVEILED AT ARLINGTON
TOMORROW.
Erected by the State of Rhode Island
in Memory of One Of
Her Sons.

Inc state of Rhode Island, through rep
resentatives appointed for the purpose, Will
unveil tomorrow a magnificent monument
at Arlington cemetery in honor of the late
Maj. Gen. Frank B. Wheaton. U. s. A, who
died in June, 1903. Gen. Elisha H Rhodes,
chairman of the special commission which
has had charge of the erection of the monu-
ment. arrived in Washington this morning
and completed the arrangements for the
ceremony. His associates on the commits
sion. MIR. Walter A. Read and Capt. Charles
ID. Gray. left Providence yesterday and are
expected here some time today or tomor-
row morning. The chairman of the COM
mission, Gen. Rhodes, will have charge Of
the ceremonies and he will also be orator of
the day. 1t is expected that addresses will
also be made by prominent officers Of the
army stationed in Washington, among
whom will probably be Lieut.. Gen. Chaffee
The monument will be unveiled by Lieut.
Frank Wheaton Rowell, grandson of the
general, and music will be furnished for
the occasion by the 7th Cavalry Band. 1t is
expected that there will also be military
turnout of the troops stationed at Fort
Myer, but no arrangements or orders for
this portion of the ceremony had been re-
cetved up to noon today.
The statue was erected by the state of
Rhode Island in honor of Gen. Wheaton,
who Is regarded as one of the states most
gallant soldiers. The expenses of prepara-
tons and erection were provided for in
bill which passed both houses of the legis-
lature last winter and the commission APP
pointed to look after the work lost no time
In having the monument completed.
The memorial is made of white marble
and stands almost ten feet high. The main
shaft is five feet square at the base and
tapers Slightly to a height of about eight
feet. The top is cut to point With the
exception of two bronze tablets the marble
Is without a mark. One of the tablets is on
the face of the shaft and this is inscribed
with the principal dates in the life of Gen.
Wheaton. On the reverse side is medallion
portrait of Gen. Wheaton in bronze sur
mounted by the coat of arms of the state
of Rhode Island.
Gen. Wheaton's Career.
Gen. Wheaton was born In Providence,
r. l., in May, 1888. The generals father
was DIR. Wheaton, who was a surgeon in
the regiment commanded by President
Franklin Pierce in the Mexican war. Gen.
Whea ton was educated as an engineer, and
IN 1880 was appointed an assistant en-
g1neer on the United States and Mexican
boundary survey In March 1859 he was
appointed first lieutenant in the 1st Regi-
ment of United States Cavalry. In March,
1861. he was made a captain. He partici-
pated in the first battle of Bull Run, and
was appointed colonel of the I'd Rhode Is
land Volunteers during that battle. He
commanded his regiment during the PENN
sular campaign He was appointed
brigadier general of volunteers for gal
lantry at the battle of Fredericksburg and
commanded a brigade in the 9th Corps.
During the battle of Gettysburg he COM
manded the I'd Division of the 9th Corps.
He was brevetted a lieutenant colonel in
the regular army for gallant and meritor-
ious services at the battle of the Wilder
ness, and was in command Of the twelve
regiments of the 9Th Corps which engaged
in the defense of Washington. in July,
1864. In October, 1864, he was made
major general of volunteers and was bre-
vetted a colonel in the regular army. In
April 1865. he received the brevet commits
sion of brigadier general in the regular
army, and shortly thereafter that of major
general. In November, 1865, on the re-
organization of the army, Gen. Wheaton
was made lieutenant colonel of the 18th
United States Infantry. With his regiment
he participated in a number of Indian cam
paignS, and was made a colonel In 1874 and
assigned to the command of the I'd In
fantry. In 1872 he was appointed briga-
der general, and five years later was made
a major general He retired from active
service Shortly after his appointment as
major general, in May, 1897. Gen. Wheaton
was presented with a handsome sword by
his native state in July, 1866. He made his
home in Washington after his retirement
and died here in June. 1903.