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CAPT. WHEELER HAKES POST #261, G.A.R., SCIO, Allegany County – NY
(Chartered March 15, 1882)

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Captain Wheeler Hakes, Co. E, 1st NY Dragoons. Enrolled Aug. 1862 as Captain; discharged for disability Dec. 5, 1864; brevet Major US Volunteers. Died 12/9/1876 & Buried in Johnson/Dean Cemetery-Wellsville, NY.

A Biography of Capt. Wheeler Hakes

(From "A History of the Town of Wellsville, 1795-1963" by Martha Howe; Revised Edition, Christina Case Wightman/Benson Smythe Publishing; Wellsville,NY)

"One of Wellsville's outstanding veterans was Capt. Wheeler Hakes, grandfather of Mrs. Fay Muckey.  He was one of six brothers who fought in the Civil War, two of whom paid the supreme sacrifice and are buried in unknown graves in the South.

Captain Hakes was mustered into U. S. service as captain at Portage, N.Y., on August 16, 1862.  He belonged to the 130th Regiment, Co. E. New York Volunteers, which was later changed to 1st New York Dragoons.  There is a fine, large monument in Letchworth Park erected to the memory of the 1st New York Dragoons.  This company mainly recruited from Allegany and Livingston counties, participated in the Battles of Deserted House and the Siege of Suffolk.  The latter lasted from April 11 to May 4.

Captain Hakes was seriously injured by a shell, confined to a Baltimore hospital for some time, and compelled to resign from service.  Heart disease developed which eventually resulted in his sudden death at the age of forty-nine.  He is buried in Johnson Cemetery in Wellsville.  He was a brave officer, kind to his men, loved and honored by them all.  A favorite in the regiment, he bore honored scars in testimony of a courage that never faltered under fire.  He was commissioned major because of "gallant and meritorious services during the war.  The commission was signed by President Andrew Johnson."

 

(The Capt. Wheeler Hakes Member List is being researched; future)

Their badge is the official Grand Army of the Republic Medal which can be viewed along with history of the Organization at the website of "Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War".

The SUVCW is one of five Allied Orders of the GAR. The other four Orders are: Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic, Woman's Relief Corps, Auxiliary to the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

The website of "Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War" is: :  http://www.suvcw.org

Other Website Pages in NY Department, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War:
Department of New York Monuments - Allegany County Page
Department of New York Monuments Home Page
Department of New York Home Page

 

Photo by Mary Rhodes; Original Picture in Archives of David A. Howe Public Library, Wellsville NY
Copyright © 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009  Ronald G. Taylor All rights reserved.