Union Lt. Col. Thomas Wildes Saves Dayton, Va.
by Kristina - January 21st, 2010.Filed under: Timeline Events. Tagged as: 116th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Philip Henry Sheridan, Thomas Wildes, Virginia.
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In 1864, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Wildes of the 116th Ohio Volunteer Infantry refused to burn the town of Dayton, Virginia, a Mennonite community, despite orders to do so from General Phil Sheridan. Although threatened with court-martial, Lieutenant Colonel Wildes refused to carry out the order until it was countermanded. A monument in his honor may be found in Dayton, Virginia.
The monument reads:
In memory of Lt. Col. Thomas F. Wildes
116th Ohio Regiment
Who, when ordered by Gen. Sheridan to burn the town of Dayton, Va. in retaliation for the death of a Union officer, refused to obey that order, risking court-martial and disgrace. His refusal and plea to Gen. Sheridan resulted in a countermand to the order, and saved this town from total destruction
Source: submitted by Duncan Aukland
http://www.daytonva.us/history.htm
