Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917 to his parents, brother-in-law, and sister

Writes that he is very grateful for everyone at home for caring about him and worrying about his safety while he is at war. He feels bad for them because the letters they receive from him take so long to arrive so they are usually "in the dark" about his safety. Writes that the North is ignorant of the cost of the war; while the South understands its effects very well. The Union Army has ravaged much of the South and this greatly affects the women and children. Writes that the Union troops stole from houses and destroyed possessions of people. Gives an example saying that some troops destroyed a 1000 dollar piano. The people of the South often hid things in their mattress so the Union troops would not steal or destroy them. The troops often forage and take so much food that the people in the area have none for themselves. Thinks that all of the actions Union General William T. Sherman has taken have done more to defeat the Confederates then all of the fighting on the Potomac since the war began. Writes that the Union has cleared the coast and the 23rd Corps. has just arrived from Wilmington, North Carolina. The Confederate Army is estimated at 60,000 men with over 100 pieces of artillery. Thinks that the rebels cannot be far as they have had skirmishes with their Calvary. They have been given rations and have stopped foraging as many men have been taken prisoner by the rebel Calvary. Writes about some of the people he knew that were killed. When the army arrived at Goldsboro, North Carolina many of the troops clothes were so bad that they began to wear civilian clothes they had taken from homes but shoes and stockings were difficult to find. He is grateful his boots arrived just in time as they have had to march through swamps and mud almost every day. The leather on the boots is starting to give and he would "begrudge 10 or 15 dollars" if the boots could last until his term was up. Writes that the shoes the army provides are very bad and if they go on another march much of the army will be shoeless. Thinks it is nice fair that the soldiers are "swindled" because they recieved bad shoes and no stockings.