Wheeler, Lysander (fl. 1837-1903) to his parents, brother-in-law and sister
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07460.103 Author/Creator: Wheeler, Lysander (fl. 1837-1903) Place Written: Georgia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 16 October 1864 Pagination: 4 p. : envelope ; 25.1 x 20.1 cm. Order a Copy
Written near the Chattahoochee River in Georgia. The line of communication have once again been opened. The mail came in all last night and he received three letters from Martha. He is sorry to hear that Johnny Burst [?] is not doing any better. He wishes he could help Johnny to feel better even though he knows he cannot. Asks for a good pair of boots and some shoe nails. He does not need his shirts from home as the clothing he left at the previous camp has arrived. Thinks that the regiment might stay at camp for a while as there have been reports that General William T. Sherman has been "flogging" the rebels near Kingston, Georgia. He does not think the 20th Corps. will evacuate Atlanta, Georgia as long as their rations hold out. They have driven sharp stakes into the abatis to prevent the rebels from charging their fortifications. They had a drill at four in the morning, the soldiers stacked their arms and then went back to sleep. He thinks that he can now sleep anywhere thanks to his time in the army. The regiment will not be coming home to vote because of Confederate General Joseph Bell Hood. This upsets him as he does not want the Copperheads to win the election.
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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