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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 parents, brother-in-law, and sister

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07460.069 Author/Creator: Wheeler, Lysander (fl. 1837-1903) Place Written: Nashville, Tennessee Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 31 January 1864 Pagination: 4 p. : envelope ; 20 x 26 cm. Order a Copy

Writes that he is about to march for Alabama. Notes that their equipment is packed and ready as are the troops who are ready to "tramp for freedom through mudholes and over mountains." His boots, however, are worn through. States that he had been sick while writing his previous letter. He has since gotten better though he is not very "stout." The doctor has told him that he can do as he pleases and suggested he guard the cars as the army moved. He would be allowed to ride for part of the time until his health improved. Notes that the army will not march until Thursday morning.

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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