William Wherry was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on September 13, 1836; he attended the University of Missouri and was a merchant before the war. After the Civil War began, Wherry became a first lieutenant in the 3rd U. S. Reserve Corps, Missouri Infantry, and served on the staff of General Nathaniel Lyon during the Wilson’s Creek campaign.

Wherry fought at the Battle of Wilson’s Creek on August 10, 1861, where he received the Medal of Honor for displaying “conspicuous coolness and heroism in rallying troops that were recoiling under heavy fire.” The Medal of Honor was awarded on October 30, 1895.

Promoted to first lieutenant in the Regular Army in October 1861, Wherry served in various staff positions for the remainder of the war and rose to the rank of major. He was brevetted to brigadier general of volunteers on March 13, 1865, for gallant and meritorious services.

After the war Wherry remained in the Regular Army and served briefly as General John Schofield’s military secretary. During the Spanish-American War, he was promoted to colonel in the Regular Army and to brigadier general of volunteers. He retired in 1899 with the rank of brigadier general, and died on November 3, 1918, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is buried in Bellefontaine Cemetery, St. Louis.

Carte-de-Visite by C.D. Fredrick’s & Co, New York, N.Y.

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 31671