- Introduction
- Spanish-American War
Joseph Wheeler- Practice
- Task
Joseph Wheeler
| The Rough Riders | |||
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| The Rough Riders. US National Archives - (NARA 111-SC-93549) |
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| Members of the Rough Riders- Teddy Roosevelt (far right), Joe Wheeler (middle-front) |
Have you ever heard of Joe Wheeler State Park, Wheeler Lake and Dam, or the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge? These Alabama landmarks were named in honor of Alabamian- Joe Wheeler. Joseph Wheeler served the state in several different capacities- he was the leader of an Alabama regiment during the Civil War and later a longtime U.S. Congressman representing the state.
Joseph Wheeler also served as a major general during the Spanish-American War. As such, he was formally charged with command over the cavalry division, including the famed "Rough Riders" regiment. Wheeler was later commissioned to scout the Cuban area in preparation for a U.S. attack.
During the war Wheeler participated in several important battles. He helped lead the attack of the first major battle of the war. Despite falling ill after the battle, Wheeler continued to fight and became one of the lead commanders of the "Rough Riders" in the Siege of Santiago. At the conclusion of the war, Wheeler served as a member of the peace commission.
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