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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Wheeler, Lysander (fl. 1837-1903) to his sister Martha

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07460.067 Author/Creator: Wheeler, Lysander (fl. 1837-1903) Place Written: Nashville, Tennesee Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 28 December [1863] Pagination: 4 p. : envelope ; 20 x 26 cm. Order a Copy

Remarks on a recent sermon he heard at the Post Chapel. He reports on the deaths of soldiers and soldiers' family members. Addressing his brother-in-law, he writes about a group of drafted men from Michigan that are presently at camp. Inquires about the "Sons of T" [The Sons of Temperance] and his membership status. Continued on December 19th. Wishes his family a happy new year. Describes holiday festivities between the soldiers and officers.

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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