Wheeler, Lysander (fl. 1837-1903) to his brother-in-law, parents and sister
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07460.073 Author/Creator: Wheeler, Lysander (fl. 1837-1903) Place Written: Tennessee Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 11 April 1864 Pagination: 4 p. : envelope ; 20.1 x 25.1 cm. Order a Copy
Written at Lookout Valley, Tennessee. He writes that spring is coming and the army is excited. Notes that the weather is much better and that some of the apple trees are beginning to blossom. Believes that the farming here at camp will be poor as most of the land is used for camping. Writes that many of the refugees have been ordered north. Describes the women of the Lookout Valley stating they are very slim in appearance. He thinks of settling down in Lookout Valley after the war is over. Writes that he wants to "hunt rabbits for a living" and he will keep "our niggers" for the garden. Writes that the 11th and 12th regiments will be consolidated into the 1st Army Corps under [General] "Fighting" Joseph Hooker. Reports that many soldiers are coming into Lookout Valley from Nashville, Tennessee many of whom are veterans. The veterans say they have had 30 days in heaven -they were on furlough- and three years of hell. States that while many men of the North are patriotic they show their true colors by not joining the army. He intends to stay his full three years with the 105th if the war lasts that long. He writes that he never regretted joining the army and hopes he never will.
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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