William Wells

William Wells, born in 1837 and dying in 1892, served in the 1st Vermont Cavalry as first lieutenant of Company E from October 14, 1861, captain of Company C from November 18, 1861, major from December 30, 1862, and colonel from July 2, 1864. He became brevet brigadier general of U.S. Volunteers on February 22, 1865, brevet major general of U.S. Volunteers for gallant and meritorious services on March 13, 1865, brigadier general of U.S. Volunteers on May 19, 1865, and was honorably mustered out on January 15, 1866. Wounded once and once a prisoner, he received the Medal of Honor for most distinguished gallantry at Gettysburg on July 3, 1863, and commanded Sheridan's Cavalry Corps. At 5 p.m. on July 3, the 2nd Battalion of the 1st Vermont Cavalry, led by Major William Wells with General Farnsworth commanding the brigade riding by his side, crossed Plum Run near this point and charged over stone walls amid rocks and through woods until they encountered five regiments of Law's Confederate Brigade near the place of the regimental monument. The 1st Battalion and part of the 3rd, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel A.W. Preston, were ordered to support the 2nd, moved northerly to the Slyder house, turned into the lane, and struck Law's Brigade in the flank. In a terrific onset, sabres and bayonets, revolvers and muskets were freely used, and after a struggle the hill was carried by the 1st Vermont and the prisoners captured were sent to the rear. The three battalions united soon came under fire from the 4th Alabama Infantry and then from the 9th Georgia Infantry, and finding no exit to the south they turned east and charged the 15th Alabama Infantry, which answered a summons to surrender with destructive musketry fire. Those unhurt escaped mostly to the south, as the officers and men of the 1st Vermont Cavalry here gave to the nation the uttermost tribute of devotion.

Freedom Township, Pennsylvania · United States