William H. Wheeler (1840 - 1863)

Born 1840 in Campbell Co., Tennessee

Died 31 Aug 1863 at about age 23 in New Orleans, Louisiana

Biography

William Henry Wheeler was the second of four sons born to Samuel Alfred Wheeler (1813-1844) and Nancy Jane Smith (1814-1888). His place of birth was Campbell County, Tennessee. His father died when William was about six years old. His mother and the remainder of the family eventually relocated to the Honey Grove area of Fannin County, Texas. Source: 1850 and 1860 Federal Census

Records from Texas, Select County Marriage Index, 1837-1977 show that William married Mary C Goings on 7 Sep 1859 in Fannin County, Texas. William and his wife, Mary, lived adjacent to William's mother and three brothers according to the 1860 federal census.

Muster Roll Index Cards, 1838-1900 for Wm H Wheeler show that he enlisted on 6 Jul 1861 in the Co. for Beat No. 5, Fannin Cnty., 14th Brig., TM. His rank was private. His commanding officer was Captain L F Lee.

William served with Company B, 1st Battalion Texas Sharp Shooters (Burnett's Batt'n) as a private during the Civil War. He was 22 at the time of his enlistment which was 1 Aug 1862 in Fannin County, Texas.

He suffered from chronic diarrhea throughout his enlistment. On several of the muster rolls he was absent due to being left somewhere due to his illness. On the September and October 1863 muster roll, it shows he was last paid on 30 Apr 1863. He was absent as he was left sick at Fort Hudson, Louisiana on 6 May 1863. The next page of his military record shows that he was taken prisoner (page is not dated). On 23 Aug 1863 he was admitted to the St. Louis, U.S.A. Gen'l Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was a Rebel prisoner of war. He died 31 Aug 1863 and burial was the next day in the Cypress Grove Cemetery, No. 2 in New Orleans. Source: U.S., Confederate Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865.

Sources

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/189176272/william-h-wheeler