CENOTAPH
Company F, 1st California Infantry
William Wheeling was 29 years old when he enlisted as a sergeant at La Porte, California, August 16, 1861. He was mustered into Company F, 1st California Infantry, at Camp Downey, California, August 30, 1861. A native of New York, William was described as being 5' 10.5" tall with a dark complexion, black eyes and black hair. He joined the California Column in its successful march across the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts to drive the Confederates from Arizona. Shortly after Colonel Carleton arrived in Tucson, Sgt. Wheeling and two civilians volunteered to carry dispatches to General Canby, the Union Commander in Santa Fe, New Mexico, informing Canby of the westward progress of the California Column. The three couriers were ambushed by Apaches in Apache Pass on June 18, 1862. The only courier to survive the ordeal reported last seeing Sergeant Wheeling alive attempting to out ride a band of pursuing Apaches. Some weeks later his body was found mutilated and partially burned and it may have been buried at the site, since no evidence of his remains being recovered to a military cemetery has, as yet, come to light.
Company F, 1st California Infantry
William Wheeling was 29 years old when he enlisted as a sergeant at La Porte, California, August 16, 1861. He was mustered into Company F, 1st California Infantry, at Camp Downey, California, August 30, 1861. A native of New York, William was described as being 5' 10.5" tall with a dark complexion, black eyes and black hair. He joined the California Column in its successful march across the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts to drive the Confederates from Arizona. Shortly after Colonel Carleton arrived in Tucson, Sgt. Wheeling and two civilians volunteered to carry dispatches to General Canby, the Union Commander in Santa Fe, New Mexico, informing Canby of the westward progress of the California Column. The three couriers were ambushed by Apaches in Apache Pass on June 18, 1862. The only courier to survive the ordeal reported last seeing Sergeant Wheeling alive attempting to out ride a band of pursuing Apaches. Some weeks later his body was found mutilated and partially burned and it may have been buried at the site, since no evidence of his remains being recovered to a military cemetery has, as yet, come to light.
CENOTAPH
Company F, 1st California Infantry
William Wheeling was 29 years old when he enlisted as a sergeant at La Porte, California, August 16, 1861. He was mustered into Company F, 1st California Infantry, at Camp Downey, California, August 30, 1861. A native of New York, William was described as being 5' 10.5" tall with a dark complexion, black eyes and black hair. He joined the California Column in its successful march across the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts to drive the Confederates from Arizona. Shortly after Colonel Carleton arrived in Tucson, Sgt. Wheeling and two civilians volunteered to carry dispatches to General Canby, the Union Commander in Santa Fe, New Mexico, informing Canby of the westward progress of the California Column. The three couriers were ambushed by Apaches in Apache Pass on June 18, 1862. The only courier to survive the ordeal reported last seeing Sergeant Wheeling alive attempting to out ride a band of pursuing Apaches. Some weeks later his body was found mutilated and partially burned and it may have been buried at the site, since no evidence of his remains being recovered to a military cemetery has, as yet, come to light.
Company F, 1st California Infantry
William Wheeling was 29 years old when he enlisted as a sergeant at La Porte, California, August 16, 1861. He was mustered into Company F, 1st California Infantry, at Camp Downey, California, August 30, 1861. A native of New York, William was described as being 5' 10.5" tall with a dark complexion, black eyes and black hair. He joined the California Column in its successful march across the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts to drive the Confederates from Arizona. Shortly after Colonel Carleton arrived in Tucson, Sgt. Wheeling and two civilians volunteered to carry dispatches to General Canby, the Union Commander in Santa Fe, New Mexico, informing Canby of the westward progress of the California Column. The three couriers were ambushed by Apaches in Apache Pass on June 18, 1862. The only courier to survive the ordeal reported last seeing Sergeant Wheeling alive attempting to out ride a band of pursuing Apaches. Some weeks later his body was found mutilated and partially burned and it may have been buried at the site, since no evidence of his remains being recovered to a military cemetery has, as yet, come to light.
Gravesite Details
Cenotaph. Gravesite Unknown.
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