Biography
Revised Roster article.
William Wells enlisted as a private soldier in company C., First Regiment Vermont Cavalry, September 9, 1861, was sworn into service in said company October 3, 1861, at the age of twenty-three years; was commissioned 1st Lieutenant company C, October 14, 1861, and Captain of the same company November 18, 1861; mustered November 19, 1861, with the field and Staff of the First Regiment Vermont Cavalry, to serve for three years. he was commissioned Major, October 30, 1862; was mustered the same date. Commissioned Colonel June 4, 1864, and mustered July 2, 1864. Appointed Brevet Brigadier-General of Volunteers, February 22, 1865, and Brigadier-General of Volunteers, May 19, 1865. Appointed Brevet Major-General of Volunteers, March 30, 1865, "for gallant and meritorious services." (He was in command of his company while Captain; as Major he was in command of the Second Battalion of his regiment.)
He was placed in command of the Seventh Regiment, Michigan Cavalry, March 2, 1864, by order of General Judson Kilpatrick, while near Richmond, Virginia, on what is known as Kilpatrick's Raid, and continued in command of the regiment for several weeks. He was in command of his regiment from June 4, 1864, as Major on Wilson's raid south of Richmond. He was in command of this regiment from date of muster as Colonel until September 19, 1864, at which date he assumed command of the Second Brigade, Third Division Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac. He commanded this brigade at the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, at Appomattox, Virginia, April 9, 1865, and until May 22, 1865, when he assumed command of the Third Cavalry Division. From September 19, 1864 to April 9, 1865, he was several times in command of the Third Cavalry Division. He was in command of the Cavalry Corps from June 1, to June 24, 1865, being its last commander.
He was in command of the First Separate Brigade, Twenty-Second Army Corps, from June 24, 1865, to July 24, 1865. He was mustered out of the service January 15, 1866, by General Order 168, War Department, Washington, D.c., dated December 28, 1865. He was twice wounded, at Boonsborough, Md., July 8, 1863, with a sabre thrust and cut, and at Culpeper Court House, Va., September 13, 1863; was a prisoner of war in Libby Prison, Richmond, Va., from March 17, 1863, to about May 6, 1863. his service in the field was continuous from this muster-in until the close of the war.
During his services with the First Regiment Cavalry he took part in the following battles and skirmishes: Middletown, Winchester, Luray Court House, Culpeper Court House, Orange Court House, Kelley's Ford, Waterloo Bridge, Bull Run, Warrenton, Hanover, Hunterstown, Gettysburg, Monterey, Leitersville, Hagerstown, Boonsboro', Hagerstown, Falling Waters, Port Conway, Port Conway, Culpeper Court House, Somerville Ford, Raccoon Ford, James City, Brandy Station, Gainesville, Buckland Mils, Falmouth, Morton's Ford, Mechanicsville, Piping Tree, Craig's Meeting House, Spotsylvania, Yellow Tavern, Meadow Bridge, Hanover Court House, Ashland, Hawe's Shop, Bottom Bridge, White Oak Swamp, Riddle's Shop, Malvern Hill, Ream's Station, Nottoway Court House, Roanoke Station, Stony Creek, Ream's Station, Winchester, Summit Point, Charlestown, W. Va., Kearneysville, and Opequon or Winchester.
As Brigade and Division Commander he participated in the following battles and skirmishes: Opequon, Front Royal, Gooney Manor Grade, Milford, Waynesboro, Columbia Furnace, Toms Brook, Cedar Creek, Cedar Creek, Middle Road, Middle and Back Road or Middletown, Lacey's Springs, Waynesboro, Five Forks, Scott's Corners, Namozine Creek, Winticomack, Appomattox Station and Appomattox Court House.
At the Grand Review Washington, D.C., May 22, 1865, he commanded the Second Brigade, Third Division Cavalry Corps, which led the advance of the Army of the Republic.
Source: Revised Roster, p. 747.
