Wheeler, Lysander (fl. 1837-1903) to his brother-in-law, parents and sister
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07460.082 Author/Creator: Wheeler, Lysander (fl. 1837-1903) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 18 June 1864 Pagination: 4 p. : envelope ; 20.3 x 25 cm. Order a Copy
Written at Camp of the 105th Illinois regiment. He is glad that everyone is doing well and states that he is as well. Writes that he is unsure of exactly where the army is as they have marched on such a "crooked course" through Georgia. Reports that it is raining hard again and that the roads have turned to mud. Writes that the whole division advanced on the rebels who retreated to their breastwork. The regiment's skirmishers inflicted about 20 dead on the rebels. Yesterday morning they found that the rebels had retreated from their fortifications and were headed towards Atalanta, Georgia. Thinks that due to the strange course taken the Union was unable to catch the rebels. He has heard rumors that Confederate General Leonidas Polk has been killed.
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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