Wheeler, Lysander (fl. 1837-1903) to his parents, brother-in-law and sister
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07460.095 Author/Creator: Wheeler, Lysander (fl. 1837-1903) Place Written: Atlanta, Georgia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 25 August 1864 Pagination: 4 p. : envelope ; 19.9 x 25.8 cm. Order a Copy
Writes that the weather is very nice even though the country is filled with rebel shoulders. He thinks it would be a nice place to visit if the inhabitants "were what they ought to be." He has received a hat from his sister Martha and some tobacco from his father. The other troops think that his hat is they best they have seen. States that the army rarely gives out tobacco and that the troops must get some from the enemy when they empty their kettles near the Union camp. Reports that some mail has been lost between Atlanta, Georgia and Louisville, Kentucky because some mail cars drove off a bridge into the water. The heavy artillery was moved across the river along with stores, magazines and heavy luggage. They are expecting to move across the river soon. He is unsure what will happen next but expect that this new movement might be a flanking attack on the rebels right to draw them away from Atlanta. Some of the men of the 1st Division were killed during the battle on the 20 August, 1864. Writes about some of the casualties in the 1st Division.
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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