Who is Gen. Wheeler from Flashman in the Great Game: From the Flashman Papers 1856-1858 and what is their importance?

General Wheeler is the commander of the garrison at Cawnpore. He is a cautious man, and unlike many of his fellow commanders, takes the threat of the spread of violence most seriously. Even after setting the men under his command to digging ditches and refortifying... the garrison remain indefensible.