CSA bios: J.A. Wharton, G.C. Wharton
Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2006 9:31 pm
John A. Wharton, CSA (b. 1828 d. 1865) “Friendly Fire” takes a whole new meaning in the death of Major Gen. John A. Wharton. Differing in “military matters” with Col. George W. Baylor of the Second Texas Cavalry, the officers met in Gen. Magruder’s Houston hotel quarters April 6, 1865. According to Baylor’s account, Wharton slapped Baylor and called him a liar. Baylor then shot and killed Wharton, who was found to be unarmed. Wharton was born near Nashville, Tenn., July 3, 1828. Early in his life, he moved with his father to Texas. Educated locally, and later at South Carolina College, Wharton was admitted to the Brazoria, Texas, bar and practiced law locally until the outbreak of the Civil War. Elected to the secession convention, Wharton continued his service to the Confederacy in Col. B.F. Terry’s Texas Rangers (Eighth Texas Cavalry) and was elected captain of one of the unit’s companies. After Terry and Lt. Col. Lubbock were killed in action, Wharton led the Eighth Texas Cavalry at the Battle of Shiloh “with great distinction” (Generals in Gray) and was wounded in action. He was back with his unit for the Kentucky Campaign of 1862. Fighting with cavalry under generals Forrest and Wheeler, Wharton again was up to the challenge at Murfreesboro and Chickamauga. He was promoted to major general Nov. 10, 1863, and assigned to command the cavalry in Gen. Richard Taylor’s department. He led units in the final stages of the Red River Campaign, contributing to the final defeat of Federal Gen. Banks. He continued his service in the Trans-Mississippi theater until his death.
Gabriel C. Wharton, CSA (b. 1824 d. 1906) Gabriel Colvin Wharton was born in Culpepper County, Va., July 23, 1824. He graduated second in the Virginia Military Institute class of 1847 and became a civil engineer. He was involved in mining in Arizona before the outbreak of the war. He joined the 45th Virginia Regiment July, 1861, and was elected major. He was made colonel of the 51st Virginia Regiment in August, 1861. His first action came with Gen. John B. Floyd’s Western Virginia Campaign. Defending Fort Donaldson, Wharton escaped with Floyd in February, 1862. Sent east, Wharton commanded units under generals Loring and Samuel Jones in the western part of Virginia. He received his promotion to brigadier general July 8, 1863, and briefly commanded the Valley District. During the winter and spring of 1863-64, Wharton served with Gen. Longstreet’s command in East Tennessee. He commanded a brigade at the Battle of New Market and pursued Federal forces under Gen. Hunter. His brigade fought with Gen. Early’s Shenandoah Campaign and subsequent attacks into Maryland and Washington, D.C. His command was soundly defeated at Waynesboro in March of 1865. Paroled at Lynchburg, Va., June 21, 1865, he resided in Radford, Va., for the remainder of his life. Several times elected to the state senate, Wharton spent much of his time developing mining in Virginia. He died May 12, 1906.
Gabriel C. Wharton, CSA (b. 1824 d. 1906) Gabriel Colvin Wharton was born in Culpepper County, Va., July 23, 1824. He graduated second in the Virginia Military Institute class of 1847 and became a civil engineer. He was involved in mining in Arizona before the outbreak of the war. He joined the 45th Virginia Regiment July, 1861, and was elected major. He was made colonel of the 51st Virginia Regiment in August, 1861. His first action came with Gen. John B. Floyd’s Western Virginia Campaign. Defending Fort Donaldson, Wharton escaped with Floyd in February, 1862. Sent east, Wharton commanded units under generals Loring and Samuel Jones in the western part of Virginia. He received his promotion to brigadier general July 8, 1863, and briefly commanded the Valley District. During the winter and spring of 1863-64, Wharton served with Gen. Longstreet’s command in East Tennessee. He commanded a brigade at the Battle of New Market and pursued Federal forces under Gen. Hunter. His brigade fought with Gen. Early’s Shenandoah Campaign and subsequent attacks into Maryland and Washington, D.C. His command was soundly defeated at Waynesboro in March of 1865. Paroled at Lynchburg, Va., June 21, 1865, he resided in Radford, Va., for the remainder of his life. Several times elected to the state senate, Wharton spent much of his time developing mining in Virginia. He died May 12, 1906.