From a photograph taken only a short time before his departure for the Philippine Islands.
Major-General Joseph Wheeler (1836-1906) was a prominent Confederate cavalry commander during the American Civil War. Earning the nickname "Fighting Joe," he saw extensive action in the Western Theater, leading horsemen with audacity in campaigns from Shiloh to Atlanta. His reputation, however, is marred by allegations of incompetence and insubordination from some of his peers.
In a remarkable turn, Wheeler later served as a U.S. Congressman from Alabama. His military career was resurrected during the Spanish-American War, where he was appointed a major general of volunteers. Notably, he fought in Cuba, famously shouting, "Let's go, boys! We've got the damn Yankees on the run!" Thus, Wheeler holds the unique distinction of being a former Confederate general who commanded U.S. troops.
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