Joseph Wheeler.
General Joseph Wheeler gained “three stars” on his coat-collar, in contending for the “Lost Cause.” He now has the two stars of a United States major-general in the Cuban war. General Wheeler was, from boyhood, a careful and painstaking student of the profession which he adopted. He was born at Augusta, Georgia, September 10, 1836, and was sent to West Point at seventeen. While others were passing their leisure moments in sport, young Wheeler could be found in the library, poring, with deepest interest, over those volumes which spoke of campaigns and battles, both ancient and modern, and examining military maps and plans of battle of distinguished generals. From the cavalry school at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, he went, in the spring of 1860, to New Mexico, and, in March, 1861, returned to Georgia. He became a first lieutenant of Confederate artillery at Pensacola, and led the Nineteenth Alabama infantry regiment as colonel. At Shiloh he had two horses shot under him, and is said to have carried the regimental colors in his own hands. On the retreat from Kentucky, Colonel Wheeler, as chief of cavalry, covered the movement. During this campaign, he met the enemy in thirty fights and skirmishes. Having been made a brigadier-general, on recommendation of Bragg, Polk, Hardee and Buckner, he was sent to Middle Tennessee. The Union troops at that time reported that “not a nubbin of corn was obtained without fighting for it.” Here he received the sobriquet of “The Little Hero.” General Wheeler was sick when the American troops attacked Santiago, but he hastened on a litter to the point of danger, and by his words and example stimulated his men to victory. He was retired as brigadier-general September 10, 1900.