The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-01-31

Joseph Wheeler, soldier, born in Au-
gusta, Ca, September 10, 1896. He
was graduated at the United States
Military Academy in 1859 and assign
ed to the dragons. After years
service at the cavalry school for prac-
tice at Carlisle Pa, he received the
full rank Of SECOND lieutenant, but on
April %, 1851, resigned and entered
the Confederate army. He was made
colonel of the Nineteenth Alabama in
fantry on September 4, 1861, and
served principally in the West.
At Shiloh ne commanded a brigade
and covered the Confederate retreat
from the field In July, 1852, he was
transferred to a cavalry command and
engaged in raiding Western Tennes-
see. During the kentucky campaign
of that year he had charge Of Gen.
Braxton Braggs cavalry and fought at
Green River and Perryville. He COM
manded the rear guard of the Confed-
crate army when it retreated into
Tennessee, and on October 80, 1862,
was promoted to brigadier general.
At Murfreesboro he was in charge of
the cavlary, and thereafter he was
continuously active in contesting Cen
William S. Rosecrans' advance, also
attacking his tanks, raiding in the
rear and destroying his trains. On
January 19, 1868, he received his COM
mission as major general and oppos-
ed the Union advance at Chattanooga.
He commanded the cavalry at Chick
amauga and after the battle crossed
Tennessee river ard fell upon Rose
Grams line of communications, de-
feating the force that was sent
against him and destroying over 1900
wagons with stores. On this raid he
succeeded in damaging federal prop
erty 10 the value of 100000, but,
after losing 500 men, was driven back
to northern Alabama. subsequently
he took part in the siege Of Knoxville
and covered Bragg's retreat from Lin
coin Ridge and Lookout Mountain.
During the winter and spring he
continually harassed the Union troops,
and on the advance Of Gen. William
r. Shernlan's army toward Atlanta, he
opposed every movement and fought
almost daily, often with his Men dis
mounted. July 27-30 he fought the
raiding force Of Gen. Geo. Stoaa.lan,
Gen. Kenner Gerard and Gen. Ed
ward NJ. McCook, and captured many
prisoners, including Gen. Stonaman
and all the artillery and transporta-
ton On August 8, 1861, he was sent
by Gen. John D. Hood to capture the
national supplies, burn bridges and
break up railways in the rear OF Gen.
Shermans army Passing through
northern Georgia, he went into east
ern Tennessee as far as as The Ken
lucky line, and thence through mid
die Tennessee back into northern Ala
bar1a. During this raid, which lasted
one month, he was continuously en-
gagged and ruined much property. He
was unsuccessful in destroying Sher-
lran's Communications, and was final
ly driven back by the national cavalry.
When the Confederate commander be-
came convinced OF the irpossibility
Of arresting Shernan's advance,
Wheeler was sent in front OF the army
to prevent the Union troops from raid
ing and foraging. Re then engaged
il the defense ot Savannah. and for
his defense Of Aiken received the
thanks OF the legislature OF South
Carolina. Gen. Wheeler received his
promotion to the rank OF lieutenant
general Oh s'e:5:au.y %, 1855, and
continued in charge CT the cavalry un-
der Gen. Josepi, e. Johnston until the
surrender IN pr, 1865. The death
og Gen. James Z. z. stuart. or May Il.
1864. made him senior cavalry general
Of the Confederate army. .sfter the
war, he studied law. which profession
and the occupation OF cotton plant
:ng he followed until 1880. When he