William M. Wherry
Encyclopedia
William Mackey Wherry was an American
author, soldier and recipient of the Medal of Honor
,
. He served on the frontier against the Indians and during the Spanish American War. Wherry retired at the rank of brigadier general in the United States Army
. Wherry is the author of "Lyon's Campaign in Missouri".
While serving in the American Civil War
, as a First Lieutenant
of Company D, 3rd U.S. Reserve Missouri Infantry and aide-de-camp to Nathaniel Lyon
. Wherry received the Medal of Honor
for actions at the Battle of Wilson's Creek
on August 10, 1861. Wherry's Medal of Honor was issued after the war on October 30, 1895 with the citation "Displayed conspicuous coolness and heroism in rallying troops that were recoiling under heavy fire".
After the Civil War, Wherry served as a Brevet
Colonel
while assigned to Headquarters First Military District
in Richmond, Virginia
.
Wherry was promoted to Lt Col, Second United States Infantry
on 29 December 1894. At the onset of the Spanish-American War he took command of the 2nd Infantry when regimental commander Col John C. Bates
was promoted to brigadier general of an Independent Brigade consisting of the 3rd Infantry Regiment and 20th Infantry Regiment. He commanded the regiment until he was promoted to colonel of the 8th Infantry on 30 August 1898.
Wherry was appointed brigadier general of volunteers September 21, 1898 and discharged from the volunteers on November 30, 1898. Wherry was appointed brigadier general in the Regular Army on January 7, 1899 and retired on January 18, 1899.
Wherry died on November 3, 1918 in Cincinnati, Ohio
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
author, soldier and recipient of the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
,
Biography
Wherry was born in St. Louis, MissouriSt. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
. He served on the frontier against the Indians and during the Spanish American War. Wherry retired at the rank of brigadier general in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. Wherry is the author of "Lyon's Campaign in Missouri".
While serving in the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, as a First Lieutenant
First Lieutenant
First lieutenant is a military rank and, in some forces, an appointment.The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations , but the majority of cases it is common for it to be sub-divided into a senior and junior rank...
of Company D, 3rd U.S. Reserve Missouri Infantry and aide-de-camp to Nathaniel Lyon
Nathaniel Lyon
Nathaniel Lyon was the first Union general to be killed in the American Civil War and is noted for his actions in the state of Missouri at the beginning of the conflict....
. Wherry received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for actions at the Battle of Wilson's Creek
Battle of Wilson's Creek
The Battle of Wilson's Creek, also known as the Battle of Oak Hills, was fought on August 10, 1861, near Springfield, Missouri, between Union forces and the Missouri State Guard, early in the American Civil War. It was the first major battle of the war west of the Mississippi River and is sometimes...
on August 10, 1861. Wherry's Medal of Honor was issued after the war on October 30, 1895 with the citation "Displayed conspicuous coolness and heroism in rallying troops that were recoiling under heavy fire".
After the Civil War, Wherry served as a Brevet
Brevet (military)
In many of the world's military establishments, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank except when actually serving in that role. An officer so promoted may be referred to as being...
Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
while assigned to Headquarters First Military District
First Military District
The First Military District existed in the American South during the Reconstruction era that followed the American Civil War included Virginia. The district was commanded by General John Schofield....
in Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
.
Wherry was promoted to Lt Col, Second United States Infantry
2nd Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 2nd Infantry Regiment is an infantry regiment in the United States Army. It has served the United States for more than two hundred years. It is the third oldest regiment in the US Army with a Lineage date of 1808 and a history extending back to 1791...
on 29 December 1894. At the onset of the Spanish-American War he took command of the 2nd Infantry when regimental commander Col John C. Bates
John C. Bates
John Coalter Bates was Chief of Staff of the United States Army from January to April 1906. He was the last American Civil War veteran still on active duty in the United States military at the time of his retirement....
was promoted to brigadier general of an Independent Brigade consisting of the 3rd Infantry Regiment and 20th Infantry Regiment. He commanded the regiment until he was promoted to colonel of the 8th Infantry on 30 August 1898.
Wherry was appointed brigadier general of volunteers September 21, 1898 and discharged from the volunteers on November 30, 1898. Wherry was appointed brigadier general in the Regular Army on January 7, 1899 and retired on January 18, 1899.
Wherry died on November 3, 1918 in Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
.