Wheeler, Lysander (fl. 1837-1903) to his parents, brother-in-law and sister
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07460.097 Author/Creator: Wheeler, Lysander (fl. 1837-1903) Place Written: Georgia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 9 September 1864 Pagination: 6 p. : envelope ; 19.5 x 15.2 cm. Order a Copy
Written near the Chattahoochee River in Georgia. Writes that for about eight or ten days he was filling ill. He is better now and is almost ready to rejoin his unit. He is a little thinner but he is feeling well and can eat hard tack again. Writes that they have recrossed the Chattahoochee River and are now encamped on the north bank. The rest of his brigade has marched through Atlanta, Georgia. There was a guerrilla attack by ten rebel soldiers who captured a wagon of supplies and an ambulance. Writes that they have been busy building houses and fixing up camp. He hopes that they will be able to rest for a while. The Union artillery has stopped firing on the rebels but he thinks they will soon start firing again. Writes that he is unsure whether or not the rebels will continue to fight on. The geography around Atlanta is a large plain. The troops are still building barracks.
Lysander Wheeler, a farmer from Sycamore, Illinois, enlisted in the Union Army on August 7, 1862 as a private. He was mustered into Company C of the 105th Illinois infantry and later promoted to sergeant. Wheeler was mustered out on June 7, 1865.
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