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

Writes that his health is very good and mail leaves Raleigh, North Carolina for Goldsboro, North Carolina by rail. They have received the great news that Richmond, Virginia has been captured along with General Robert E. Lee's army. The camp cheered upon hearing the news. They are hopefully that General Joseph E. Johnston will soon surrender. When they marched out from Goldsboro it was very rainy and muddy. Writes that many men fell out of the march and even one man from the 70th dropped dead. He states that the regiment received news of Lee's surrender on 12 April. The advanced units of the Union Army continues to skirmish with the rear of Johnston's army which is still retreating. He has heard rumors that Johnston will make a stand at Greensboro, North Carolina and will only surrender to Grant and not his "old enemy Sherman." He thinks that very soon by the Army of North Carolina and the Army of Virginia will surrender or be taken prisoner. Three of the corps., including his, had marched out of Raleigh when they were ordered to return suddenly. There are rumors about the surrender of Johnston but no one is exactly sure. Writes that the city of Raleigh is "neat" and the country is also "very nice." The inhabitants for Raleigh seem happy that the Union soldiers are there and at the prospect of immediate peace. He thinks that the front lawns in Raleigh are the nicest he has ever seen. An old man and his wife said that since peace is so close they would give him some shrubbery to take back home. He writes that there are some good people in the South and many of them look forward to the "Yankees" coming.