Wheeler, Lysander (fl. 1837-1903) to his parents, brother-in-law and sister
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07460.100 Author/Creator: Wheeler, Lysander (fl. 1837-1903) Place Written: Georgia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 14 September 1864 Pagination: 6 p. : envelope ; 19.7 x 15.2 cm. Order a Copy
Written near the Chattahoochee River in Georgia. He has not received any mail dated before 12 September for ten days as the rebel attacks have disrupted the mail service. He thinks that a rebel named Wheeler is to blame for all of the attacks. He wonders if there is any relation between him and the rebel. It has been over two years and he thought the rebellion would have been stopped by now but the fight continues on. Writes that if the North had a unified front and had there been no copperheads the war would be over. He hopes that the Republican Party will get Abraham Lincoln elected again. Does not want the Union General Robert George B. McClellan to win because there will be a "dishonest compromise." Because if McClellan has his compromise slavery will still continue. Encourages his family to vote for Lincoln as he is the only one who wants to end the rebellion. At dress parade General William T. Sherman told the men to ignore the copperheads in the north and that he would always stand by his men. He thinks that the army is better "united" then ever. Writes that the country will always be "cut up" in politics instead of focusing on winning the war. He understands why his father has not voted for two or three years. Writes that Ed does not want to go back to Amity.
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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