“Fightin’ Joe” Wheeler

Near this spot, on May 9, 1865, Major General Joseph Wheeler, C.S.A., and part of his staff were captured by Federal troops pursuing President Jefferson Davis. Wheeler was released at Athens but later arrested again and sent north with President Davis. He was imprisoned at Fort Delaware, Del., until June 8, 1865, when he was released. Wheeler fought more battles than any other cavalryman in the War Between the States. Wounded 3 times, he had his horse shot out from under him 16 times. In the U. S. Army in the Spanish-American War, he served with equal honor and distinction.

Conyers, Georgia · United States