Chatham Roberdeau Wheat

Chatham Roberdeau Wheat (April 9, 1826 – June 27, 1862) was an American politician, lawyer, adventurer and military officer serving both the United States Army and the Confederate States Army.

Wheat first saw action as a captain of the United States Volunteers during the Mexican–American War where he was promoted to a lieutenant. Upon leaving the military, he successfully sought election to Louisiana House of Representatives, serving a 1 year term from 1848–1849. Following his term in office he served as a mercenary in Cuba, Mexico, and Italy, and later as a major in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.

Wheat is remembered as a pioneer of the filibuster movement in the Antebellum United States, he led several raids into Cuba where he was commissioned a colonel and gained most of his military experience.