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

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07460.035 Author/Creator: Wheeler, Lysander (fl. 1837-1903) Place Written: Signal Hill, Tennessee Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 13 June 1863 Pagination: 5 p. : envelope ; 20.5 x 25 cm. Order a Copy

Writes of the possiblity of getting furloughed in late July but asks that this not be mentioned to anyone. He tells his family that he could have asked for a furlough sooner, but he felt that the men with wives and children deserved to be furloughed first. Wheeler writes about his friend Brundage whose father and brother are copperheads in West Chester County, New York. He writes that Brundage "could shoot his father as well as a southern Rebel." Mentions a Nashville paper's erroneous report of fighting that occurred at Lavergne,Tennessee between Union troops and three thousand rebels. Writes that the colonel has offered a barrel of premium lager beer or punch for the best drilled company and an oyster dinner for the company with the best built shanties. On a separate sheet dated June 15, 1863 Wheeler writes that he was unable to get a furlough because the number of furloughs for the regiment had already been assigned.

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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