Later he was assigned to Philippine War where he transferred to the U.S. Regulars as a brigadier general over a brigade of infantry. He served directly under Lt. General Arthur MacArthur, General Douglas MacArthur's father, and Union Medal of Honor winner of the Civil War. "Fighting Joe" had the same habits he had in the Civil War, leading charges against a fortified enemy and not following regulations. In one battle he led a charge over open ground, and broke the enemy’s lines of trenches, his men taking serious casualties. The enemy retreated into the trees with "Fighting Joe" chasing after them. The effect of his movements dissolved his force into a small mobs lost in dense jungle. Had the enemy counterattacked Wheeler's scattered brigade, the result would have been a rout. MacArthur, not impressed with the results, moved Wheeler's Brigade to the rear in reserve and never placed him in action again.
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David Upton