Wheeler, Lysander (fl. 1837-1903) to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07460.029 Author/Creator: Wheeler, Lysander (fl. 1837-1903) Place Written: Gallatin, Tennessee Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 May 1863 Pagination: 10 p. : envelope ; 20 x 23.5 cm. Order a Copy
Thanks his family for the cakes they sent him with Bob Thomas. Writes that they are refixing the camp, rearranging tents and building fireplaces for company cooking. Complains of the amount of flies increasing as the weather gets warmer. Reports that nearly fifty thousand men (about 25,000 from each side) were "used up" in the last battle of the Rappahannock. Writes that soldiers unfit for active service will be put in companies for garrison duty. Discharged officers will also be enlisted on certain conditions. In a second letter labeled " 2nd edition", Wheeler writes about stealing vegetables from a large "secesh" garden. He also provides a description of the town of Cairo. The letter is continued on May 27th where he writes that Charles Seidel has finally returned. A third sheet labeled "edition 3rd" continues the writing on May 27th. Wheeler is very grateful for the letters and goodies his family continuously send him. He is particularly grateful for the butter he received stating that "nothing is more prized in the army than good butter..." He writes that some men from the regiment will be going on furlough tomorrow for fifteen days.
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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