Campaigns of Wheeler & His Cavalry 1862-1865 and The Santiago Campaign Cuba 1898

By Wheeler's Confederate Cavalry Association

"Western cavalry has been badly overlooked in the reporting of the service and events of the late unpleasantness."

Lacking the coverage and initial successes of the flamboyant Stuart and his regiments of Virginia cavalry, the western riders and their units became the forgotten men. Only the exploits of the daring Forrest, the raid of the glory seeking Morgan, and the threat of Wert Adams made an occasional foray into the public eye. Their units and troopers obscure and lost in the mists and smoke of the great infantry battles that sealed the fate of the western Confederacy.

Wheeler's Cavalry was the "blue colar" cavalry of the war. Tough, durable, tenacious and constantly on the prowl, they threatended the front, flanks, depots, rail lines, and raiding columns of the Federals. They shadowed, attacked, isolated, and captured as their numbers and opportunities permitted from the massive blue formations that plodded into the heart of the South.

There was a constant and thankless effort and one that kept the Federals aware of the basic tenant of war, carelessness could be fatal. Often, abuse as being as bad as Shermanís bummers, these under supplied and under supported riders took what they needed to keep fighting. Anything left would be seized or destroyed by the Federals anyway.

Wheelerís hardy riders help to their colors and fought to the very end from the last battle at Bentonville and the charge into Kilpatrickís camp. These tough, resilient fighters often forgotten leaders have more than earned their place in the annals of military history.