8 July 1866

Wheeler, Joseph, 1836-1906

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Offering assistance in any way possible while the recipient is in New Orleans. Addressed to "Colonel."

GLC03478

circa 1864

Wheeler, Joseph, 1836-1906

Letter

Title: [Draft letter regarding recent conflict between soldiers and citizens]

Creator and circa year previously inferred. Reports that the previous day, Colonel Dibrill had informed Wheeler's adjutant that a man near Dibrill's camp had two hundred bushels of corn that he refused to sell. Wheeler instructed Dibrill to take some of the corn, and a fight ensued. One soldier was wounded from a shot, and the citizens guarding the corn finally surrendered. Wheeler ordered the citizens arrested, and is investigating the incident. Remarks, "I exceedingly regret this occurrence as my command was getting along remarkably well and all the citizens in the neighborhood of…

GLC01931

29 March 1901

Wheeler, Joseph, 1836-1906

Document signed

Title: [Check written to George C. Boldt]

Check from the Mechanics' National Bank written for $118.17. Contains canceled 2 cent stamp. Includes a stamp on verso instructing "Pay to the order of the Astor National Bank, N. Y. Geo. C. Boldt, (The Waldorf-Astoria)." Contains an Astor National Bank stamp indicating receipt of payment on 30 March 1901.

GLC02063.08

14 March 1864

Wheeler, Joseph, 1836-1906

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Braxton Bragg

Wheeler, commanding Cavalry Corps, Army of Tennessee, writes to Bragg, overseeing Confederate military operations from Richmond, Virginia. Replies to correspondence from Bragg. Discusses the establishment of a military court: "... I must first acknowledge my indebtedness to you for the kindness you have shown in evincing such an interest in our behalf. The court will be of great service to us and will aid much in enforcing discipline." Reports that Major Hugh M. King (formerly quartermaster on General John K. Jackson's staff and Captain of the fifth Georgia Infantry) has been serving as…

GLC02460.18

3 June 1863

Wheeler, Joseph, 1836-1906

Broadside

Title: General orders no. 7

Orders given by Confederate Brigadier General Wheeler for Wheeler's Calvary Corps. Promulgated by Assistant Adjutant General D. G. Reed. Divided into seven sections. Stresses accuracy of reports of enemy strength. Says they need to probe the enemy firmly enough to get a true sense of their strength as well as question prisoners closely. Says to be sure to filter out rumors. Reminds them that "Calvary Officers and Soldiers must always remember that they are the eyes and ears of the General commanding."

GLC08537

10 February 1864

Wheeler, Joseph, 1836-1906

Printed document

Title: General orders no. 2

Orders several schools for military instruction to be established. Outlines the officers and purposes of the different schools.

GLC08603

3 June 1863

Wheeler, Joseph, 1836-1906

Broadside

Title: [General Joseph Wheeler's General Orders No. 7]

Contains Wheeler's orders transmitted by D. G. Reed, Assistant Adjutant General. Wheeler, commanding cavalry corps, Army of Tennessee, states "...The commanding General of this Army relies solely upon information received from Cavalry, to make his dispositions and inaccuracies in their reports may entail great disasters..." Contains other directives pertaining to the accuracy of reports. Closes by stating: "Cavalry Officers and Soldiers must always remember that they are the eyes and ears of the General commanding, and without frequent and correct intimations from them regarding the enemy…

GLC08604

28 November 1864

Wheeler, Joseph, 1836-1906

Manuscript document signed

Title: to Braxton Bragg

Probably Wheeler's original draft of a telegram. Wheeler, commanding Cavalry Corps in the Department of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida writes to Bragg, commander of the Department of North Carolina. Reports on an engagement against the troops of General Hugh Judson Kilpatrick near Big Buckhead Church, noting that General Felix Huston Robertson was severely wounded. Writes "The enemy fought stubbornly and a considerable number of them were killed. We stampeded and came very near capturing Kilpatrick twice but having a fast horse he escaped bare headed, leaving his hat in our hands..."…

GLC00549

April 18, 1865

Wheeler, Joseph, 1836-1906

Letter signed

Title: to Joseph E. Johnston

Joseph Wheeler writes that he arrived at camp and found half of his command had left during the night because they believed the entire army was to be surrendered. His men informed him they heard this from high ranking officers as well as from Union forces who said they were not to fire on the Confederate troops as Union General William T. Sherman was negotiating a surrender. He informs that he sent out officers to get the men back, and indicates that they may have to move because there is no food to forage. He comments that, "I would rather ten thousand times to have been Killed than to have…

GLC00688

September 14, 1862

Wheeler, Joseph, 1836-1906

Letter signed

Title: to T. B. Roy

Will obey orders he has just received regarding surveillance. Is scouting enemy pickets and estimates enemy troop strength. Describes Union recruitment meeting and wonders what to do about disloyal citizens. Roy was Hardee's Assistant Adjutant General. Docket contains Hardee's autograph endorsement signed. Docket states the letter was forwarded to Braxton Bragg, and contains the signature of George G. Garner, Bragg's Assistant Adjutant General.

GLC00650

January 22, 1865

Wheeler, Joseph, 1836-1906

Letter signed

Title: to Daniel H. Hill

Major General Wheeler writes to General Hill about adjusting the speed of the courier line, his orders to General Ferguson, his troop and enemy movements, and the disposition of his troops to General Hill. With a long postscript addressing some possible strategies. Docketed on page four. Written from the "Head. Qu. Cav. Corps."

GLC00654

January 22, 1863

Wheeler, Joseph, 1836-1906

Broadside

Title: [Confederate circular regarding discipline issued after the Battle of Stones River]

Docket (in pencil) indicates that this was Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest's copy. Issued from the headquarters of the cavalry by E. S. Burford, Assistant Adjutant General, based on Wheeler's orders. Deplores the discipline of regimental and company commanders: "The disgraceful state of discipline which exists in certain portions of this command, has rendered them worse than useless appendages to the Brigade. Companies muster for duty not more than one-fourth or one-fifth their strength, and, even than, are allowed to scatter so as to be of but little or no use to the command.…

GLC00823

January 21, 1865

Wheeler, Joseph, 1836-1906

Letter signed

Title: to Daniel H. Hill

Reports from his scouts on the enemy's movements during Sherman's Carolina Campaign. Reports enemy's movement should be difficult because the "country was overflowed from the river, & the swamps so full as to be of very difficult passage." Less than two weeks later the Confederates at Lawtonville would be defeated in the Battle of Rivers' Bridge.

GLC08972

circa 1861-1862

Wheeler, Joseph, 1836-1906

Signature

Title: [Signature of Wheeler]

Wheeler became a Confederate colonel of the 19th Alabama Infantry in September 1861. He was promoted to Brigadier General in October 1862. Wheeler was noted for his command of cavalry during the Civil War, was wounded three times and had sixteen horses shot from under him. He was known as "Fightin' Joe Wheeler."

GLC02878.04.07