After leaving the Army, Wheeler was a successful writer, and he authored several autobiographical works detailing his career in the western United States.

[4] With several friends, Wheeler traveled to Burlington, Vermont and attempted to enlist in the Union Army, but they were rejected for being too young and not having the permission of their parents.

[8] By the time they arrived, most of the soldiers had been killed, and the party Wheeler was part of buried the dead who had not already been interred, and led the few survivors back to Fort Wallace.

[9] As the conflict with Indians in the area continued to grow, Wheeler was employed several times to carry messages from Fort Wallace to other posts and return with replies as local Army commanders worked to coordinate their activities.

[11] In 1870, Wheeler used his savings from the trading post and wagon train jobs to buy the Rose Creek Ranch, which was located near Fort Wallace.

[13] Wheeler continued to take part as a volunteer in scouting parties and expeditions during times of conflict with Indians in Kansas and Colorado.

[15] In October, he found that General John Pope, the commander of the Department of the Missouri, had recommended him for appointment as an officer in the Army in recognition of his work as a scout and guide.

[16] Pope's request included an endorsement from Wheeler's uncle Orville Babcock, then serving as private secretary to Ulysses Grant, who had become president in 1869.

[18] Wheeler remained with the 5th Cavalry for 25 years and served primarily in the western United States during several campaigns of the American Indian Wars.

[21] At the start of the Spanish–American War in 1898, Wheeler led his troop to Fort Sam Houston, Texas, where the 5th Cavalry was consolidated prior to moving to New Orleans, Louisiana, Mobile, Alabama, and Tampa, Florida.

[22] When a hurricane struck in 1899, he supervised the reconstruction of his troop's military post as well as the relief of the civilian population, including emergency food and water supplies, construction of a hospital, and the rebuilding of homes.

[23] He later employed several local men and boys in the construction of a much-needed road between Aiboneto and Barranquitas, which was completed shortly after he left Puerto Rico in May 1901.

[27] His additional works included: "The Fight on Sappa Creek" (1896)[28] and a five-volume autobiographical manuscript titled Indian and Other Frontier Reminiscences (1929).