Joseph N. G. Whistler

Joseph Nelson Garland Whistler (October 19, 1822 – April 20, 1899) was a career United States Army officer. He served in the Mexican–American War and received a brevet appointment for distinguished service in the Battle of Contreras and the Battle of Churubusco. At the beginning of the American Civil War, Whistler was among the U.S. Regular Army officers taken prisoner by Confederates in Texas in April 1861 and paroled but was not exchanged until August 15, 1862. In 1863, he became colonel of the 2nd New York Heavy Artillery Regiment. He received a promotion and four brevet appointments in the regular army for his service during the Overland Campaign, specifically the Battle of North Anna, and the Siege of Petersburg, specifically the Second Battle of Petersburg. He was nominated on January 13, 1866 and confirmed on March 12, 1866 for appointment to the grade of brevet brigadier general of volunteers, to rank from March 13, 1866. He retired in on October 19, 1886 as colonel of the 15th U.S. Infantry Regiment.

Early life Joseph Nelson Garland Whistler was born at Green Bay, Wisconsin on October 19, 1822.

He was the grandson of John Whistler, an Irish-born soldier who served under General Burgoyne during the Revolutionary War and was captured at the Battle of Saratoga. His father was Colonel William Whistler who served in the Army for 60 years. His first cousin was the famous artist James Abbott McNeill Whistler.

Whistler was a cadet at the United States Military Academy from September 1, 1842 to July 1, 1846, when he was graduated and promoted in the Army to brevet second lieutenant in the 8th Infantry on July 1, 1846. He was promoted to second lieutenant, 3d Infantry on January 7, 1847. He was promoted to major of the 13th U.S. Infantry Regiment on December 31, 1864.

Later military life Whistler was in command of the 3d Battalion, 13th U.S. Infantry Regiment, at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, November, 1865, to April, 1866. He was transferred to 31st U.S. Infantry Regiment on September 21, 1866. on November 6, 1874, to August 9, 1876, and of Camp on Tongue River, Montana, August 28 to December 30, 1876; on detached service at St. Paul, Minnesota to January 29, 1877; on leave of absence to December 1, 1877; and in command of Fort Snelling, Minnesota, December 29, 1877, to May 21, 1878, and Fort Keogh, Montana, June 5, 1878, to June 23, 1879; on duty at Poplar Creek Agency, Montana, to August 28, 1879; in command of Fort Keogh, Montana, to September 15, 1879; at headquarters, Department of Dakota, St. Paul, Minnesota, to October 18, 1879; on sick leave of absence, to May 10, 1880; in command of Fort Keogh, Montana, to May 30, 1881; on court martial duty to July 8, 1881; in command of Fort Keogh (of regiment to November 8, 1882) to July 10, 1883.

Whistler was promoted to colonel of the 15th U.S. Infantry Regiment on May 31, 1883 and was on sick leave of absence until October 16, 1883; and in command of regiment and post of Fort Buford, Dakota, to October 19, 1886.

Later life Whistler retired from active service on October 19, 1886, having reached the mandatory retirement age of 64.

Joseph Nelson Garland Whistler died on April 20, 1899, at Fort Wadsworth, New York, aged 77. He was buried at Vale Cemetery, Schenectady, New York.