Henry W. Wessells facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry W. Wessells
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| Born | February 20, 1809 Lietchfield, Connecticut |
| Died | January 12, 1889 (aged 79) Dover, Delaware |
| Buried |
East Cemetery, Litchfield, Connecticut
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| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1833–1871 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General |
| Commands held | 6th US Infantry 8th Kansas Infantry< Division of the Albemarle |
| Battles/wars | Seminole Wars |
Henry Walton Wessells (born February 20, 1809 – died January 12, 1889) was an important officer in the United States Army. He is most remembered for his role in the American Civil War. He was involved in the Battle of Plymouth in 1864.
Contents
Biography
Early Life and Military Start
Henry Wessells was born in Litchfield, Connecticut, on February 20, 1809. He studied at the West Point military school. He finished his studies there in 1833.
After West Point, Wessells joined the army. He fought in the Second Seminole War in Florida. He started as a second lieutenant and later became a first lieutenant.
Fighting in Mexico
Wessells also fought in the Mexican–American War. He was promoted to captain during this war. He earned a special honor called a "brevet" of major. This was for his bravery at the Battles of Contreras and Churubusco.
During the Battle of Contreras, Captain Wessells was hurt. Even so, he bravely grabbed his unit's flag. The soldier carrying it had been killed. Wessells then led his men forward. After the war, his home state of Connecticut gave him a special sword.
From 1849 to 1854, Captain Wessells served on the Pacific coast. He then took part in the Sioux expedition in 1855. After that, he served in the Northwest until the Civil War began.
Civil War Service
When the American Civil War started, Wessells was promoted. On June 6, 1861, he became a major in the 6th US Infantry. Later that year, on August 22, he became a colonel. He led the 8th Kansas Infantry.
He served on the border of Missouri for a while. In March 1862, he joined the Army of the Potomac. This was a major Union army. On April 25, he became a brigadier general. He fought in the Peninsula Campaign. He earned another brevet promotion for his bravery. This was at the Battle of Fair Oaks, where he was wounded.
When General George B. McClellan moved his army, Wessells commanded the rear guard. This group protected the main army from behind. He then helped defend Suffolk, Virginia. After that, he served in North Carolina.
Battle of Plymouth
On May 3, 1863, General Wessells took command of the Albemarle area. On April 17, 1864, his forces were attacked. This happened at Plymouth, North Carolina. Wessells had about 3,000 soldiers. They were attacked by General Robert F. Hoke's Confederate troops. Hoke had about 15,000 soldiers. The Confederates also had an iron-clad ship called the CSS Albemarle.
General Wessells and his men fought bravely for three days. But they were greatly outnumbered. General Wessells had to surrender the town. He was then taken as a prisoner of war.
Prisoner of War
Wessells was held in several Confederate prisons. He was first at Libby Prison in Virginia. Then he was moved to Danville, Macon, and Charleston. In Charleston, he was one of the officers placed under Union artillery fire. This was done by the Confederates. It was a dangerous situation.
On August 3, 1864, Wessells was exchanged. This meant he was traded for a Confederate prisoner. On November 11, he became the commissary of prisoners. This job meant he was in charge of prisoners. He held this post until the war ended. He also managed a center in New York. This center helped gather new soldiers.
He was promoted to lieutenant colonel on February 16, 1865. He also received another brevet promotion. This was to colonel, for his brave service at Plymouth. On March 13, he was given the brevet rank of brigadier general.
Later Years and Family
After the Civil War, Wessells continued to serve. He was a lieutenant colonel in the 18th US Infantry. He served on the northwestern frontier. He retired from the army on January 1, 1871.
After retiring, he lived in Litchfield, Connecticut. Henry Wessells passed away on January 12, 1889. He was visiting Dover, Delaware, at the time. He was buried in East Cemetery in Litchfield.
General Wessells was married three times. His first wife was Mary Griswold. They married in 1834. She passed away in 1841. He then married Hannah Cooper. She was the niece of famous writer James Fenimore Cooper. Hannah died in 1863. In 1878, Wessells married Caroline Wadsworth. He had one child with his first wife and three children with his second wife.
His son, Henry W. Wessells Jr., also became an army officer. He fought in the Spanish–American War. He also reached the rank of brigadier general.
