circa 16 May 1863

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at camp of the 2nd Michigan Infantry. He writes a letter of introduction for Sergeant Wilhelm [?] Shakespeer who has promised to visit Frederick Wilkinson's wife. Reports that he was sick but has since recovered. Requested a leave of absence but has yet to receive a response.

GLC03523.13.098

18 May 1863

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at the residence of Mr. [Carlile] to his wife. He has been unwell so he came to Mr. Carlile's and is feeling much better. Writes that he is with one of the best families in Kentucky and they give him everything he requires and take excellent care of him. Reports that the family has two sons; one was a major in the Union Army who was killed and another a colonel in the Union Army who resigned. States that Mrs. Carlile looks like his grandmother. The regiment has marched from the Green River Bridge in Kentucky and he hopes to re-join the regiment soon. The 20th Michigan engaged the…

GLC03523.13.099

30 May 1863

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Writes to his wife that he has returned to camp with much improved health. He is glad to hear that she is doing so well. He states that he will unfortunately not be able to come home for at least another several weeks. Knows that he is of no great use and longs to return home to her. Writes that it is unfortunate that his fate was to spend two years in the army away from his family. Feels that he has done his duty. Reports that the men of the regiment have returned and bring no news of importance. States there are two kinds of treason. One kind is an "overt act against the government" which…

GLC03523.13.100

2 June 1863

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written to his wife from Louisville, Kentucky. Reports that he has mustered into a new regiment. He has received his bounty and has sent her a portion of it in a box. Explains that he is not feeling well and that he will try to return home as soon as he can.

GLC03523.13.101

19 June 1863

Wilkinson, Frederick W., fl. 1861-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amanda Wilkinson

Written at camp of the 2nd Michigan Infantry near Haines Bluff, Mississippi to his wife. He is outside of the city of Vicksburg, Mississippi. General Ulysses S. Grant is laying siege to the city because attempting to storm it would most likely cause a great loss of life and would most likely fail. There have been reports that Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston is somewhere on the Black River near Vicksburg, Mississippi. A Confederate deserter reported that there are 24,000 troops in Vicksburg, Mississippi but only 15,000 are fit for duty and that the troops in the city have very little to…

GLC03523.13.102

February 19, 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 orders. States that the weather is very cold and the men are without their overcoats as they had sent them home. The commander of the other brigade sees no point in marching out before spring. Writes that he is still required to go on picket despite the bad weather. However, they do not have drills or dress parade during bad weather. Reports they…

GLC07460.070

11 March 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 the roads were in very poor condition. Thanks his family for sending him the trunk of provisions and is very grateful to the family friends who also sent him some items. Notes that there were a great many dead mules along the road from Bridgeport, most of them shot by the rebels on the other side of the Tennessee River. Writes that the regiment…

GLC07460.071

28 July 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

There is occasional shelling from both sides. Beyond that little has changed and his regiment is still in the same locations as when he last wrote. Most of the Confederate shells fall too short or go too far to cause much damage to the Union lines. He writes that he can clearly see Atlanta, Georgia and this will most certainly be the rebels last stand here. The Union has recently received re-enforcements and are putting more pressure on the Confederate flanks. According to orders recently read to him General Joseph Hooker has relieved himself of command of the 20th Corps. and will report to…

GLC07460.089

5 July 1864 - 6 July 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Written at the Camp of the 105th Illinois regiment. States that he is in good health and that his division is near the 23rd Corps. The 1st and 2nd divisions of his Corps is on the front lines where the Confederates are making a stand near Marietta, Georgia. He thinks the 23rd Corps will move to the right to allow his division to move up to the front line. Reports that Union skirmishers found the rebels strong breastworks deserted. As their division advanced on the rebel breastwork they found them severely damaged by the Union cannon. Reports that he saw a body with at least 50 bullets hole in…

GLC07460.085

15 July 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Written at the Camp of the 105th Illinois regiment near the Chattahoochee River in Georgia. A friend of the family - a colonel in the Union Army- will be visiting his family soon if he has not called on them already. He has sent his watch home with the colonel because the crystal is broken and he would like to have it repaired. Writes that they are improving their camp daily since they arrived on 6 July. They are sending out pickets towards the river bank because the rebels are on the other side of the river. Reports that there is not much firing but a good deal of trading between Union and…

GLC07460.086

18 July 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Written at the Camp of the 105th Illinois south of the Chattahoochee River in Georgia. His Corps. has crossed the river on a pontoon bridge. Soon afterward his regiment was sent on picket duty. To his left he has heard the sound of musketry. The 3rd Brigade of his division is currently building a bridge across a stream. He describes the area as "all woodland" and the country is "as rough as ever." He regrets that they could not prevent the rebels from crossing the river last night. Writes that they are only 10 or 11 miles from Atlanta, Georgia which is doomed to fall soon. Writes that if he…

GLC07460.087

21 July 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

He writes that his regiment played an important role in the Battle of Atlanta. They marched to within two miles of Atlanta, 22 July, 1864, Georgia and formed two lines of battle in an open valley on the hill to their front. The pickets kept up a steady fire as word came to them that the Confederates appeared ready to charge them. Writes that both the Union and Confederate forces marched on the double quick to the top of the hill trying to gain an advantage. Despite the steady pressure of the Union skirmishers the Confederate soldiers reached the crest of the hill first and came down the other…

GLC07460.088

29 July 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister Martha and all at home

Written at the Camp of the 105th Illinois regiment near the Chattahoochee River in Georgia. Writes that the 20th Corps. has moved back towards the rear closer to the river. His picket did not leave the front line until four in the morning. The 1st Division was then deployed near the bridge acting in support of the rear. His regiment worked all day felling trees to their front. Write that some Confederates pickets advanced but made no aggressive movement. The 2nd Division crossed the river on 16 and 17 July. The other two brigades of the division moved down river to ford there and skirmished…

GLC07460.090

30 July 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

He write that he is now on the right wing not far from the Atlanta, Georgia railroad. Reports that during the night as they were moving they were attacked by Confederates who were severely "whipped for their tenacity that they may stick to Atlanta." He has heard reports that if the main Confederate Army cannot hold Atlanta the Georgia militia will surrender. According to the papers from Illinois Atlanta has been captured by the Union which is not true but they will soon be in possession of it. Last night the rebels attacked and were repulsed suffering heavy casualties. His division was order…

GLC07460.091

5 August 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

The items he requested from home were brought to him by the colonel. Some of the items, the cheese and butter, will start to melt soon due to the hot weather. He was sent up to the right-center of the line and his corps. relieved some of the 14th Corps. Working parties continue to improve and expand the Union defenses under the cover of darkness. He notes that the Confederate and Union lines are close now, no more than 750 yards apart. He writes that the skirmishers are close enough to taunt each other although the Confederates do not usually respond. Writes that one of the Corps. attacked…

GLC07460.092

15 August 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother-in-law Davis and all at home

He write that he is well but he cannot say so for other members of the regiment as they have just recently learned that Chas Tubbs has died. The report is that he died of the bloody flux [dysentery]. Details some of the other casualties received by the regiment. Writes that there has been a steady drain on the regiment and that the war must surely end when all men are dead, "offered up to the Goddess of Liberty." He hopes that the recent losses will not discourage the men as they must fight on in order to assure liberty. The men have been busy constructing a fort for the cannon. The rebels…

GLC07460.093

22 August 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Writes that one month and 15 days ago the Union army began the siege of Atlanta, Georgia. There are reports that the right of the Union Army is within a half-mile of the Macon Road. States that is difficult to find out what is really going on as each part of the line hears or sees something different. He writes that what they read in the papers is probably not much better. Due to the attacks on the railroad the mail has been delayed a few days. The skirmishers on each side have made a small truce to stop firing for a while near his picket. This is not the first time the Union has tried for a…

GLC07460.094

August 25, 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Writes that the weather is very nice even though the country is filled with rebel shoulders. He thinks it would be a nice place to visit if the inhabitants "were what they ought to be." He has received a hat from his sister Martha and some tobacco from his father. The other troops think that his hat is they best they have seen. States that the army rarely gives out tobacco and that the troops must get some from the enemy when they empty their kettles near the Union camp. Reports that some mail has been lost between Atlanta, Georgia and Louisville, Kentucky because some mail cars drove off a…

GLC07460.095

3 September 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Written near the Chattahoochee River in Georgia. Writes that one of his teeth has decayed because of the hard tack and tough beef he has been eating. Part of Atlanta, Georgia has been occupied by the Union Army thanks to General William T. Sherman's "last grand move." Sherman's main army is still 25 to 30 miles away and that Confederate General John Bell Hood's army is divided in the center. At night he heard noises that sounded like cannonading of Atlanta but it turned out to be the rebels destroying their own magazines and military stores. Writes that during the siege Atlanta was surrounded…

GLC07460.096

9 September 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Written near the Chattahoochee River in Georgia. Writes that for about eight or ten days he was filling ill. He is better now and is almost ready to rejoin his unit. He is a little thinner but he is feeling well and can eat hard tack again. Writes that they have recrossed the Chattahoochee River and are now encamped on the north bank. The rest of his brigade has marched through Atlanta, Georgia. There was a guerrilla attack by ten rebel soldiers who captured a wagon of supplies and an ambulance. Writes that they have been busy building houses and fixing up camp. He hopes that they will be…

GLC07460.097

10 September 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Written near the Chattahoochee River in Georgia. There are numerous raids on the roads north of Atlanta, Georgia and have interrupted mail and supplies moving south. Their camp has moved to the south side of the Chattahoochee River. Writes that they expect go to into Atlanta soon. The center of the main Union Army is about two or three miles from Atlanta. The city has suffered much damage from Union shell and shot. The rebels had constructed some defenses to keep the Union out of the city. The Union attacked and retreated while General William T. Sherman moved into the Confederate rear. This…

GLC07460.099

14 September 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

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.…

GLC07460.100

27 September 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Written near the Chattahoochee River in Georgia. Writes that the weather has been getting a lot cooler especially at night. The change from daytime temperature to nighttime temperature is very similar to that of Kentucky. He is still in the same camp as when he last wrote and he thinks that the army will be staying for a little while in that location. He has been roaming around the southern countryside and really enjoys it. He thinks that his family can fix up their home "southern style" to make it look more attractive. He is thinking of buying a place for his family with what he gets paid…

GLC07460.101

4 October 1864 - 11 October 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Written near the Chattahoochee River in Georgia. He is writing despite the fact that no mail has been coming in or out because the rebels have cut their line of communication. There are various reports as to the location of Confederate General Joseph Bell Hood's army. He assumes it is in their rear, however, a Union army is advancing upon the rear of the Confederates. The entire Union army, except the 20th Corps. left behind in Atlanta, Georgia, is turning to meet General Hood. The rest of the brigade has left Atlanta and have returned to camp. The Union General William T. Sherman is…

GLC07460.102

16 October 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

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 "…

GLC07460.103