“FIGHTIN’ JOE” WHEELER’S SPEECHES, INSCRIBED BY WHEELER TO GENERAL PHILIP SHERIDAN
WHEELER, Joseph. Selections from the Speeches of Hon. Joseph Wheeler, of Alabama, in the House of Representatives. Washington: [Government Printing Office], 1883-1898. Seven volumes. Octavo, various cloth bindings gilt (one in original wrappers). $2700.
Official publications of Joseph Wheeler’s Congressional speeches, inscribed, “To Gen. Sheridan, Comdr U.S. Army with compt of his friend, Joe Wheeler, Aug. 4th ’85.”
Joseph Wheeler has the rare distinction of having served as general for two opposing forces— first as major general in the Confederate Army during the Civil War and later as major general in the U.S. Army during both the Spanish-American and Philippine-American wars. Between the wars he sat as U.S. Representative from Alabama. "Wheeler entered Congress in March 1881, but in June 1882 his seat was successfully contested. His successor soon died and he was elected to the same seat in January 1883 for the last two months of the term. He was again elected to Congress in 1884 and served from March 1885 until his resignation in April 1900. As he rose to the Chairmanship of the Ways and Means Committee, the high rank and personal popularity he had achieved in the Civil War made him something of a symbol of the reunion of the North and South in that period" (Arlington National Cemetery). This seven-volume collection of his Congressional speeches was presented to General Philip Henry Sheridan, who as Chief of Cavalry in the Army of the Potomac, contested General Jubal Early's Confederate troops, defeated General J.E.B. Stuart, and eventually, in the battle of Cedar Creek, drove Early out of the Shenandoah Valley. As the war neared its end Sheridan took leadership in forcing General Lee out of Petersburg. At the same time, Confederate General Joseph Wheeler's Cavalry Command was set in opposition to Sherman's March to the Sea. Owner inkstamps, including that of Joe Wheeler's estate in some volumes.
Interiors generally fine, light wear to cloth of two volumes. Near-fine condition.