He was known for being the son of Brigadier General Henry W. Wessells, his participation in the Fort Robinson breakout and his command of the 3rd Cavalry Regiment during the Battle of San Juan Hill.

[1] He was educated at the Deep Hill Institute at Danbury, Connecticut and later enrolled in the United States Naval Academy from September 20, 1862, to November 12, 1864.

[3] Beginning on January 1, 1871, he was transferred to the 3rd Cavalry Regiment and was promoted to captain on December 20, 1872, and even managed to partially learn how to speak the Sioux language.

[5] After they refused to head south however, Wessells gave orders for the arrest of Wild Hog and Old Crow with the latter managing to stab Private Thomas Ferguson in the sternum.

This eventually culminated into the Fort Robinson breakout and after Wessells himself pleaded with the Cheyenne to lay down their aims, his response was met by gunfire and he ultimately led a charge against them but was wounded during the fighting.