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Wheeler, Lysander (fl. 1837-1903) to his parents, brother-in-law, and sister

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07460.114 Author/Creator: Wheeler, Lysander (fl. 1837-1903) Place Written: Fayetteville, North Carolina Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 12 March 1865 Pagination: 4 p. : envelope ; 20 x 25.3 cm. Order a Copy

The Union 14th Corps. captured Fayetteville, North Carolina yesterday. They are now encamped there along with the 20th, 15th, and 17th Corps. On 2 February his regiment had a "brisk" skirmish with Confederates near Lawtonville, South Carolina. They suffered only eight wounded and they are all doing well, none of the wounded were the Sycamore men. They have had a severe and tedious march but they are doing well. He expects that will move on to Goldsboro, North Carolina next. The Union raids have been "gigantic" destroying as much as possible including buildings, cotton, and other provisions. Reports that Columbia, South Carolina, the capital of the state, was burned. Thinks that the pitch factories in South Carolina make "nice fires." They have received some of their back mail from Savannah, Georgia.

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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