General Joseph Wheeler
A collection of photos of Joseph Wheeler through his life.
Joseph Wheeler was born in Augusta, Georgia, on September 10, 1836, the youngest of four children. His mother died in 1842, and shortly thereafter his father lost his fortune. Wheeler's father decided to take the children and return to his home state of Connecticut.
Young Joe eventually went to live with his maternal grandparents and his aunts, Mary and Augusta Hull. He received his schooling at the Episcopal Academy in Cheshire, Connecticut, and on July 1, 1854 at age 17, he was admitted to West Point, subsequently graduating in 1859.
Some highlights of his career:
-At age 26, he became one of the youngest Confederate Generals, and rapidly rose from Brigadier to Major General during 1863. Although debate exists regarding whether he was officially confirmed as a Lieutenant General, Wheeler served in this capacity, with the responsibilities of such late in the War* (see footnote).
-He participated in more than 500 skirmishes and commanded in 127 battles. As sobering proof of his personal exposure to danger during this period, records show that 36 staff officers were wounded at his side, and 16 horses were shot from under him.
-He was characterized by General Robert E. Lee as one of the two outstanding cavalrymen in the War Between the States (General J.E.B. Stuart was the other).
-In the 1870's, Wheeler studied law, and after passing the Alabama Bar Exam, became an attorney for the Tuscumbia, Courtland, and Decatur Railroad (later Southern Railway).
-He was first elected to Congress in 1880. Following his initial two-year service, he was defeated. Running again at the next opportunity two years later, he would serve continuously until taking leave from Congress in 1898, at the beginning of the Spanish-American War.
Subsequently, Wheeler was commissioned by President McKinley to serve as Major General of Volunteers in Cuba during the Spanish-American War.
Young Joe eventually went to live with his maternal grandparents and his aunts, Mary and Augusta Hull. He received his schooling at the Episcopal Academy in Cheshire, Connecticut, and on July 1, 1854 at age 17, he was admitted to West Point, subsequently graduating in 1859.
Some highlights of his career:
-At age 26, he became one of the youngest Confederate Generals, and rapidly rose from Brigadier to Major General during 1863. Although debate exists regarding whether he was officially confirmed as a Lieutenant General, Wheeler served in this capacity, with the responsibilities of such late in the War* (see footnote).
-He participated in more than 500 skirmishes and commanded in 127 battles. As sobering proof of his personal exposure to danger during this period, records show that 36 staff officers were wounded at his side, and 16 horses were shot from under him.
-He was characterized by General Robert E. Lee as one of the two outstanding cavalrymen in the War Between the States (General J.E.B. Stuart was the other).
-In the 1870's, Wheeler studied law, and after passing the Alabama Bar Exam, became an attorney for the Tuscumbia, Courtland, and Decatur Railroad (later Southern Railway).
-He was first elected to Congress in 1880. Following his initial two-year service, he was defeated. Running again at the next opportunity two years later, he would serve continuously until taking leave from Congress in 1898, at the beginning of the Spanish-American War.
Subsequently, Wheeler was commissioned by President McKinley to serve as Major General of Volunteers in Cuba during the Spanish-American War.
Where do we meet?
AnShu Asian Cafe
122 Coach Light Way SW. Aiken, South Carolina 29803 Except for: January- Prayer Breakfast February- No Meeting April 10, 2026- Ladies Night at the Outing Club May 4, 2026- Camp meeting held at the Osteen Cabin at the Battle of Aiken Site July : No Meeting September meeting will be held the 2nd Monday due to Labor Day Our next meeting will be on
June 1, 2026 Our guest speaker will be : Show and Tell: What our ancestors used Time: 6:30 pm Where: AnShu Asian Cafe We are also on Facebook. Click on the icon below and it will take you to our page.
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Pledges and Salutes
I pledge allegiance to the Christian flag, and to the Savior for whose Kingdom it stands; one Savior, crucified, risen, and coming again with life and liberty for all who believe.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
I salute the flag of South Carolina and pledge to the Palmetto State love, loyalty and faith.
I salute the Confederate Flag with affection, reverence, and Undying devotion to the cause For which it stands.
Charge to the Sons of Confederate Veterans |
Do you have your General Joseph Wheeler Challenge Coin? No, then pick one up for $10 at the next meeting and get one for a family member or a friend. |
"To you, Sons of Confederate Veterans, we will commit the vindication of the cause for which we fought. To your strength will be given the defense of the Confederate soldier's good name, the guardianship of his history, the emulation of his virtues, the perpetuation of those principles which he loved and which you love also, and those ideals which made him glorious and which you also cherish." Lt. General Stephen Dill Lee, Commander General, United Confederate Veterans, New Orleans, Louisiana, April 25, 1906. 
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Who Can Join the Sons of Confederate Veterans?
Membership in the Sons of Confederate Veterans is open to all male descendants of any veteran who served honorably in the Confederate armed forces. Membership can be obtained through either lineal or collateral family lines and kinship to a veteran must be documented genealogically. The minimum age for full membership is 12, but there is no minimum for Cadet membership. Applicants should submit an application form, along with a detailed genealogy describing your relationship to the veteran, and proof of his service. To obtain proof of his service, contact the archives of the state from which the soldier fought and obtain a copy of the veteran's military service record. All Southern state's archives have microfilm records of the soldiers who fought from that state, and a copy of the information can be obtained for a nominal fee. In addition, the former Confederate states awarded pensions to veterans and their widows. All of these records contain a wealth of information that can be used to document military service. Please note that finding someone listed in the Broadfoot Roster with the same name as your ancestor does not constitute proof (John Jones from Tennessee). You must use accepted standards of genealogical research to demonstrate that the two men are, in fact, the same. The SCV has a network of genealogists to assist you in tracing you ancestor's Confederate service.
SCV Policy on Hate
The Sons of Confederate Veterans is not a hate group. The SCV does not knowingly allow anyone with ties to hate groups to join and has removed, and will remove, anyone from its ranks who expresses racist sentiments. Specifically, the following is not allowed and will be grounds for immediate dismissal: -Attempting to recruit fellow SCV members for racist groups -Disseminating racist literature to fellow SCV members, either through mailings or in person.
ALL MEMBERS MUST BE AWARE OF THESE RESTRICTIONS, AS THEY WILL BE RIGOROUSLY ENFORCED.
Loving the South and defending its culture, symbols and heritage does not mean hate. In fact, many SCV members are descendants of African-American, Catholic, Jewish, Native American, Hispanic and Asian Confederates. The contributions of these groups to Southern culture have made it a beautiful and unique region. To deny their descendants membership in our organization would betray our principles and the very ancestors we honor. We welcome all descendants of Confederate soldiers, sailors, and marines or those who materially aided the South in its struggle for independence.
The Sons of Confederate Veterans is not a hate group. The SCV does not knowingly allow anyone with ties to hate groups to join and has removed, and will remove, anyone from its ranks who expresses racist sentiments. Specifically, the following is not allowed and will be grounds for immediate dismissal: -Attempting to recruit fellow SCV members for racist groups -Disseminating racist literature to fellow SCV members, either through mailings or in person.
ALL MEMBERS MUST BE AWARE OF THESE RESTRICTIONS, AS THEY WILL BE RIGOROUSLY ENFORCED.
Loving the South and defending its culture, symbols and heritage does not mean hate. In fact, many SCV members are descendants of African-American, Catholic, Jewish, Native American, Hispanic and Asian Confederates. The contributions of these groups to Southern culture have made it a beautiful and unique region. To deny their descendants membership in our organization would betray our principles and the very ancestors we honor. We welcome all descendants of Confederate soldiers, sailors, and marines or those who materially aided the South in its struggle for independence.
Last updated May 29, 2026
