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to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

They have been on the march for a few days and are probably headed for Chattanooga. Ward led them down the wrong road and they had to pick their path through the hills. He received a letter from his family assuring him "that the war will close this...

GLC07460.020

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Darius is almost fully recovered. There is talk of Wheeler's regiment moving to Camp Douglas, but Lysander does not want to go North unless they are going for good. Expresses that hewould like to drive all the copperheads in the Army SOuth, and run...

GLC07460.021

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

He thanks his family for the letters and food they've sent. Complains that Uncle Sam owes him eighty dollars but thinks that he will get paid some of the amount tomorrow. Mentions to his family that they should set out an orchard on which they...

GLC07460.023

to his sister Martha

Writes that he would like to hire Welly (his nephew Wellington Spohn) at five cents a day to help with the harvest. Reports that rebels are camped nearby and that he is anxious toget rid of them. Discusses the feeling of brotherhood amongst the...

GLC07460.024

to his sister Martha [Spohn]

Hopes that more men will be drafted to fill the regiments. Writes that he would like to see the North "whip" the South entirely with volunteers. He describes a reported rebel attack on a Union picket that forced the picket to retreat. Wheeler also...

GLC07460.025

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Thanks his family for the letter and the trunk of food they sent him. He has packed his winter clothing and will be sending it home so as to not carry it around during the summer months. Writes that there is rumor that his regiment will join the...

GLC07460.026

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Writes that furloughs have begun and three men will be allowed to go from each company. His brigade will be kept in Gallatan for the time being, as Gallatan is a very important position to keep. Writes that there will soon be a fight at...

GLC07460.027

to his sister Martha [Spohn]

Thanks his sister for sending him a letter and food with a fellow soldier. Playfully writes to his sister that as he is writing he is being distracted by a chunk of maple sugar sent to him by his aunt. He writes that while on picket he has found...

GLC07460.028

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Thanks his family for the cakes they sent him with Bob Thomas. Writes that they are refixing the camp, rearranging tents and building fireplaces for company cooking. Complains of the amount of flies increasing as the weather gets warmer. Reports...

GLC07460.029

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Tells his family not to worry if they don't hear from him soon, as he is preparing to march and will not be able to write for a while. Reports that the rebs have moved but it is not exactly known where to. He comments on the poor quality of farming...

GLC07460.030

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Writes about Capt. Fields' visit to Sycamore, where Wheeler's family lives. He complains about Fields' multiple absences without leave and feels that the lieutenants are working against him. Asks that his family not tell anyone about Fields'...

GLC07460.031

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Weeks thanks his family for the food and updates them on cmp news. Describes the various foods he has consumed since he received his family's packages and writes that he's "grown fat since yesterday morning".

GLC07460.032

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Writes favorable news from Vicksburg that Grant has captured many prisoners and canons. He spent his birthday on picket while it rained all day and night. Updates his family on camp news and his activities. On a separate sheet dated Sunday evening...

GLC07460.033

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Wheeler writes that the colonel has ordered new 10x12 foot loghouses be built on the sight to accomodate eight men per building. He is fond of the area and wishes to stay there longer. Explains to his family why he is at Signal Hill and gives...

GLC07460.034

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

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...

GLC07460.035

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

The top edge of the letter has been cut resulting in the loss of some text. Wheeler writes that there has been some conflict amongst the officers of Co. C, primarily between Captain Fields and Lieut. Burst.
As a result of this conflict, Colonel...

GLC07460.036

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Thanks his family for the food they sent him and requests that they send him some emery paper (for filing his gun), tea, and pepper. Reports that Rosecrans has taken five or six hundred rebel prisoners to Nashville. Writes that rebels planted two...

GLC07460.037

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Wheeler reminds his family that mail isn't always regular and asks them not to panic if they don't hear from him regularly. Feels that his company would have won the barrel of beer for best drilling had Captain Fields not mixed up his orders....

GLC07460.038

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Thanks his family for sending him the trunk of food and writes that it came at a good time because rations have been meager. Jokes that he will take his trunk with him now that he knows it can be carried and will give it furlough when it needs to...

GLC07460.039

to his parents, brother, and sister

Writes that musicians have it the easiest in the regiment because they can always stay in camp and out of the weather. Mentions to Darius, his brother-in-law, that the musicians speak highly of him all the time. Writes that he is glad his mother...

GLC07460.040

to his parents, brother, and sister

Writes that the company is back in Lavergne and was able to return to the log buildings they had built there a month ago. Discusses General [William Thomas] Ward, his sixteen year commission, and his refusal to report to General Morgan. Writes that...

GLC07460.041

to his sister Martha and family

He writes that it is his one year anniversary of enlistment and that he is glad he made the decision to enlist. Comments that the soldiers forage for most of their food, living "almost independent from Unkle [Uncle] Sam". Reports that Lieut. Culver...

GLC07460.042

[to his family]

Wheeler advises his brother-in-law Darius not to return to the Army. He writes that the soldiers weren't able to draw soft bread because the baker had gotten drunk and later arrested. Reports that Captain Mason, who was replaced by Captain Culver...

GLC07460.043

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Discusses a dream in which he had gone home and realized that he had no furlough papers. Writes that his bottle of Radways Relief (most likely a stomach medicine) has broken and asks that he be sent one whenever possible. Wheeler mentions that the...

GLC07460.044

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Describes an arduous seventeen mile march from Lavergne to Nashville. Writes that more ambulances are accompanying the men while marching, which allowes the soldiers to get passes to ride in the ambulance when they can't march any further. Wheeler...

GLC07460.045

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Comments that he is pleased that his family has received all of his letters and writes that he is fighting for their rights. Describes his journey to Stevenson, Alabama by train. Reports that during his trip he met an old friend, John Hegeman who...

GLC07460.046

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Wheeler is very pleased with the consistency in which his family writes him and states that he thinks no one else in camp gets as much correspondence from home as he does. Reports that Union forces are in Chattanooga and his entire Brigade in...

GLC07460.047

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Writes that he is encouraged by his mother's message of strength and courage. Mentions that the men are drilling five days out of the week and travel a mile to find suitable ground for drillling. He reports that the 129th Illinois and the 3rd Ohio...

GLC07460.048

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

He is happy to hear news about home from a friend that has just returned to camp from Sycamore (Wheeler's hometown in Illinois). Writes that he has only been on picket once since leaving Murfreesboro and his duties have been very light. Wheeler and...

GLC07460.050

to his sister Martha [Spohn] and family

Reports on the continuous rainy weather. Comments on the quality of tents the soldiers are living in, stating that if they lived off what the government gave them it would be like lying on the ground with " two bed sheets over a ridge pole for a...

GLC07460.051

to his sister Martha [Spohn]

Wheeler is sorry to hear of Ella Lattin's death and writes that he was planning to send her a ring in a letter. Reports that part of General Ward's staff has gone to Murfreesboro. Writes that Colonel Dustan is in command of the 105th Illinois while...

GLC07460.052

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Thanks his family for the needle and thread they sent. Reports that General Ward is still in Murfreesboro. Writes that the 129th Ills has gone down to Columbia on the Franklin Road, but have not returned. Expresses his appreciation for the clothes...

GLC07460.053

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Reports that General Ward is back in Murfreesboro. Writes that he has sent his ambrotype with the letter (not included) and has framed his mother's likeness, commenting that he is always proud to show it off. Wheeler mentions that he has bought an...

GLC07460.054

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Reports on some of the activity going on including train guard and the arrival of trains loaded with men which he thinks may be ill or convalescents. Writes that Confederate General Wheeler has not frightened them with his raids. Writes that ten...

GLC07460.055

to his sister Martha and family

Discusses activity regarding train guard. Writes that they would be able to drive the Rebels from Georgia without firing a gun, if they had Austrian rifles. Mentions that U.S. Grant is now their commander and reports that he passed through...

GLC07460.057

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Writes that some of the men from his regiment are out on train guard duty on a branch road leading out to Tullahoma, Tennessee. He asks that Thomas Albee's mother be told that Albee hasn't been able to write because he's been on train duty. Reports...

GLC07460.058

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Writes that he has just returned from performing the funeral services and burial of George H. Gould. Gould, who shared a tent with Wheeler, had been sick since June from diahrrea, and was transferred to the regimental hospital in August where he...

GLC07460.059

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Remarks that city folks "live too high" compared to soldiers. Writes that he was given three pounds of butter by another soldier which will last him for a while. He will soon know if the company will stay in Nashville through the winter. Reports...

GLC07460.060

to his sister and family

Comments on the rainy weather and muddy conditions. Reports that the troops were reviewed by General R.S. Granger. He writes that the men put their best appearance on for the general and made a very good impression. Wheeler remarks that he's glad...

GLC07460.061

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Writes that some of the men returning from the front were exposed to small pox on the train. Those who were not vaccinated have been taken to the hospital and given vaccinations. He writes that a tent was built to house all the men that came down...

GLC07460.062

to his sister and family

Reports that one of the soldiers, [Zod] Howe, almost died from small pox and another man is thought to have come down with it. Remarks that the men in camp seem very nonchalant about the small pox outbreak. He writes that the hospital building and...

GLC07460.064

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Reports that Hiram Wright has been taken to the hospital with small pox and expects that he will come down with it pretty badly. Writes that he has been appointed cook for the week and discusses what he's had for dinner. He explains that the men in...

GLC07460.065

to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Thanks his family for the gift of "goodies" he received for Christmas and hopes that he will be able to share Christmas with them after the war is over. Writes that he is very proud of his nephew Welly (Wellington Spohn) and expects to receive a...

GLC07460.066

to his parents, brother-in-law, and sister

Writes that the weather is very cold and has been as low as nineteen degrees below zero. Complains of the lack of fire wood provided for the soldiers. Reports that Major [Everell Fletcher] Dutton of Sycamore, Illinois has returned to the regiment....

GLC07460.068

to his parents, brother-in-law, and sister

Writes that he is about to march for Alabama. Notes that their equipment is packed and ready as are the troops who are ready to "tramp for freedom through mudholes and over mountains." His boots, however, are worn through. States that he had been...

GLC07460.069

to his parents, brother-in-law, and sister

Writes that he is in good health and is glad to hear that his family is as well. The brigade still has not marched out from Nashville, Tennessee. There is also another brigade close by and they each hear rumors that one of them has received marching...

GLC07460.070

to his parents, brother-in-law, and sister

Written at Camp of 105th Illinois Regiment, eight miles from Chattanooga, Tennessee. The regiment has marched from Bridgeport, Alabama to Chattanooga, Tennessee. He describes this as the hardest march the regiment has ever had. He also reports that...

GLC07460.071

to his brother-in-law and all at home

Written at Lookout Valley, Tennessee. Thanks his friends and family for writing to him and remembering him. Notes that there has been a lot of rain and wind recently. Does not think his brother-in-law will be conscripted as Illinois is already ahead...

GLC07460.072

to his brother-in-law, parents and sister

Written at Lookout Valley, Tennessee. He writes that spring is coming and the army is excited. Notes that the weather is much better and that some of the apple trees are beginning to blossom. Believes that the farming here at camp will be poor as...

GLC07460.073

to his brother-in-law, parents and sister

Written in Lookout Valley, Tennessee. He reports that the weather is nice but there has been some rain. States that he left his overcoat in Nashville, Tennessee with Ann the regiment's "negro woman." Notes that prices are high both at home in...

GLC07460.074