Joseph Nelson Garland Whistler (October 19, 1822 – April 20, 1899) was a career United States Army officer.
[1] He was the grandson of John Whistler, an Irish-born soldier who served under General Burgoyne during the Revolutionary War and was captured at the Battle of Saratoga.
[3] He was appointed brevet first lieutenant on August 20, 1847 for "Gallant and Meritorious Conduct" in the Battles of Contreras and Churubusco, Mexico.
[3] Whistler was in garrison at East Pascagoula, Mississippi, 1848 and on frontier duty at San Elizario, Texas from 1849‑1850.
[1][3] He was assigned to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York as assistant instructor of infantry tactics on September 25, 1861 and served there until March 20, 1863.
[3] He was appointed brevet major in the regular army to rank from May 24, 1864, for "Gallant and Meritorious Services at the Battle of North Anna, Virginia".
[3] He was appointed brevet lieutenant colonel to rank from June 19, 1864, for "Gallant and Meritorious Services in Front of Petersburg, Virginia.
"[1][3] Whistler was in command of a brigade in the Defenses of Washington, D.C. from July, 1864 to September 19, 1865, being engaged in the defense of the Capital during the Battle of Fort Stevens, July 11–12, 1864, against the Army of the Valley, principally the detached Second Corps, Army of Northern Virginia, under the command of (temporary) Lieutenant General Jubal Early.
[1][3] Whistler received an appointment as brevet colonel to rank from March 13, 1865, for "Gallant and Meritorious Services during the Rebellion.
[5] Whistler was in command of the 3d Battalion, 13th U.S. Infantry Regiment, at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, November, 1865, to April, 1866.
[1][3] Joseph Nelson Garland Whistler died on April 20, 1899, at Fort Wadsworth, New York, aged 77.