1861-1865

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Anna to her brother Henry. References his letters dated 1 & 8 September. Says both him and his sister Kate sent letters, which appear to have been lost in the mail. Mentions that Henry is going to China and Japan and that he asked what souveniers to bring back. Asks for pretty silk items. Makes reference to his resignation. Writes on 3 November and says Henry's letters from 12 & 15 September and says several letters were sent to him at Batavia, Java. Writes again on 7 November. Says the Navy has received his resignation, but has not acted upon it yet. Updates him on family…

GLC03523.21.47

1861-1865

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry F. McSherry [incomplete]

Written by Anna to her brother Henry. Updates him on friends and family. Says this will be the last letter he sends to Batavia, as he said he would leave in November. Will send next to China. Says their father will sell $1,000 of stock and sell Noble Tabb's house because the taxes are too much. Tells him "there is not so much business since the war. Mr Donnet(?) told Pa he had made a mistake in bringing such a stock of wines." Makes a reference to the citizenship oath in West Virginia. Letter ends mid-sentence on page 2. Unsigned, but creator inferred from content.

GLC03523.21.48

29 November 1865

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Anna to her brother Henry. Says their father told him to write in every letter that Henry should not resign from the Navy. He fears that some letters will be lost and wants to make sure Henry hears his views. The resignation has been withheld until he gets home. It appears he wanted to get involved with business with his cousin William. Both Richard and Henry's father say they are not ready and are accustomed to living as gentleman. Fears they won't be ready for the jump. Says "Cousin Wm. is talking of selling his farm and Pa is so afraid that he will let everything slip thro' his…

GLC03523.21.49

24 December 1865

McSherry, Anna, 1833-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written by Anna to her brother Henry. Says he has not heard from him in some time. Last letter from Henry was dated from Singapore. Mentions that their father wants him to withdraw his resignation. Is worried about him. Makes reference to friends and family members. Says she is going to the opera. Page 4 is dated from 27 December and then 31 December. Says she heard his ship, the USS "Wyoming" will be assigned to the East India Squadron and fears he won't be home for quite some time. Further updates on family and friends. Tells him the nuns have a new convent about 2 miles from Wheeling, West…

GLC03523.21.50

September 1862

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister Martha [Spohn]

Wheeler writes that a few men from his hometown of Sycamore, Illinois are at camp including his brother-in-law Darius Spohn. He reports that while the soldier's wives visit, they mend and alter clothes, and accompany their husbands to the city at night. He reprimands his sister for writing bitter letters to Darius and complaining about Lysander and Darius volunteering. Wheeler expresses that he would rather be dead than "have nothing to do in putting down this accursed Rebellion". In defense of Darius, he writes that his brother-in-law is "engaged in the noblest work he can be next to…

GLC07460.001

5 October 1862

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents and sister

Wheeler's regiment has marched 33 miles and many of the men have discarded their belongings along the way. He writes that they pass slaves along the road at almost every house and although a few volunteered to join the Union soldiers, they later backed out. Wheeler describes the slaves as well brought up and states that they support the Union. He is wary of any news of movements and feels that he can't rely on anything that is said anymore.

GLC07460.002

5 November 1862

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father [Shepherd Wheeler]

Writes that his regiment is stopping in Scottsville, Kentucky for a while. Asks his father to send him tea, as he cannot find any where he is.

GLC07460.003

7 November 1862

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents and sister

He advises his family not to worry about writing him when he's marching because the mail follows closely behind. Writes that it is sixty-eight miles to Nashville by railroad and there are too many men to transport by train. Some of the men have fallen out since they began marching but he supposes they may have been taken to Missouri.

GLC07460.004

13 November 1862

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents and sister

He writes that it took two days to travel from Bowling Green to Scottsville because the roads were rough and the wagons so heavily loaded the wheels had to be chained to go downhill. Comments that men and women, "meager looking whips," are often seen along the road. Observes that most of the townspeople do not side with the Secesh, but did vote for "Southern rights".

GLC07460.005

26 November 1862

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents and sister

Wheeler has just marched fourteen miles to Gallatin, Tennessee and writes that he doesn't mind the marching as much as he used to. The letter is continued on Thursday, November 27th; Thanksgiving day. Wheeler writes that he will not march today but reports that there is talk of sending the company to Murfreesboro for rear guard. He mentions that Gallatin is the most beautiful town he's seen in a long time. There are many secessionists in the town and Lysander hopes that one day "we can go right in and clean them right out." He claims he is "willing to march to the Gulf of Mexico if we…

GLC07460.007

21 December 1862

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents and sister

Wheeler writes that his brother-in-law, Darius has been very ill and has not been on duty since they left Bowling Green, Kentucky. Furthermore, Darius is currently waiting for General Rosecrans to sign his discharge papers. Reports that they have been on the lookout for John Morgan and Kirby Smith. He writes that there are only about four or five hundred Union men at this lookout point while it is said that the rebels are eight thousand strong. In response to being outnumbered he writes that "it seems to be the policy of this war to put but few men in the places that need guarding the…

GLC07460.008

29 December 1862

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents and sister

Writes that he is anxious to receive a letter from Darius assuring that he arrived home safely. Wheeler expresses tremendous relief for the discharge of his brother-in-law and writes that Darius was very concerned about leaving Lysander behind. Reports that [Confederate General John Hunt Morgan] has not come after them yet and that they are currently building a fort should he attack. Writes that there has been no mail for three or four days due to torn up tracks. Requests that he be sent pepper, saleratus (salt), a bottle of ink, and some tea.

GLC07460.009

1 January 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents and sister

Lysander recounts how they surrounded and ambushed a suspected secessionist's house during the night, only to find nothing. The secessionist claimed to be a Unionist but admitted his brother is in the Confederate Army and that there were things hidden on the plantation. Reports Lieut. Timothy Wells and Capt. Alexander Warner have been petitioned to resign by all of the officers. Wheeler explains that he signed the petition for Warner because Warner wanted Darius, Wheeler's brother-in-law, to sleep with his negro servant.

GLC07460.010

18 January 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Writes that many men have been receiving discharge papers, particularly those who are disabled. Reports that the mail has been irregular due to a heavy storm that washed away the tressel work of the train tracks. Relates the news that Captain Warner has tendered his resignation.

GLC07460.011

30 January 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Writes that he has received his mother's likeness and will treasure it. Asks that Darius write as soon as he is well enough to do so. General Rosecrans has prohibited picket fires at night, so they have to make a big pile of coals and sleep beside it to keep warm during picket duty. Wheeler doesn't think Morgan will confront them for a while. Writes that the Union victory at Murfreesboro was so difficult that "old Bragg claims one on his side." Reports that Porter West, and Phil Hartman were wounded at Vicksburg. He encloses a letter from Captain Warner to Darius; which reports that…

GLC07460.012

4 February 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Wheeler writes that he was very happy to receive the box they sent him. His regiment marched to Gallatin to fight Morgan. Writes that the new camp is far better than any they have seen since Chicago and far exceeds their camp in Tunnel, Tennessee. Reports that Ruthven Russell has died in the hospital at Gallatin. Writes that some fifty or sixty blacks have run away and come into the camp where General Paine has put them to work. Wheeler writes that a "good many of the Secesh are getting sick of their job and they are sneaking home." Thirteen soldiers from Wheeler's regiment have also…

GLC07460.013

10 February 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Discusses farm business back home. He describes a "grand foraging expedition" led by Major Dutton. In response to his father's comment about taking Wheeler's place, Lysander states "I couldn't let you have my place under any consideration...I would be ashamed to live in a country I was not willing to fight for." He tells his mother that she must stop worrying about him or he will leave the hardships he encounters out of future letters. Wheeler explains that it is his desire to write these letters as journals and include as many accounts as possible, so that he can read them in the…

GLC07460.014

21 February 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents and sister

The whole regiment has been healthier since they left Tunnel, Tennessee where many from Wheeler's regiment died. Wheeler has heard rumor that Vicksburg was taken from the Rebels. Some of the men are trying to publish the truth about Captain Warner in the Sycamore Republican (Warner is from Wheeler's hometown of Sycamore, Illinois). Reports that Warner is no longer officially captain of company C and instructs Darius to dispell rumors that Captain Warner left the Army honorably. The men believe Warner kept their money from board bills and are determined to make him pay it back. General…

GLC07460.015

23 February [1863]

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Asks Darius, his brother-in-law, to settle some acounts for him back home. Reports that his regiment will march to meet General Hooker tomorrow morning. Mentions the Sons of Temperance a brotherhood of men who were committed to not drinking alcohol and asks if they have "turned him out".

GLC07460.016

23 February [1863]

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

He reports that John Fetterly has died of small pox. Writes that Fetterly was unable to march, so he was transferred to the pest house where he died. Wheeler informs his family that he will be on the march and may not be able to write for ten or twelve days.

GLC07460.017

25 February 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents and sister

He remarks "truly a soldier's life is a life of inequalities it learns a person to take everything as it comes." George Bowen has deserted; he was under 18 when he enlisted and his father came to get him but "failing to do it by fair means George ran away." Captain Warner denied having taken the men's board money (see GLC07460.015). Fields has been appointed the new Captain.

GLC07460.018

2 March 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Wheeler writes that a new order has been announced in which deserters will be dealt with promptly, even with the punishment of death. He also reports that new regulations are in affect for furloughs and only a certain number of furloughs will be granted per company to the best men. Comments on the lightness of guard duties and writes that he's only been on picket and camp guard once.

GLC07460.019

7 March 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 summer" and he is pleased with the idea.

GLC07460.020

7 March 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 them in front at Murfreesboro. He is glad that Dick Yates is governor of Illinois so the soldiers don't have to worry about losing their homes. He hopes they will "Draft, Conscript and any other way old Abe may cho[o]se to rush this thing through to completion." He updates Darius on the situation with Captain Warner and the board bills.

GLC07460.021

12 March 1783

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Manuscript letter

Title: to Benjamin Lincoln

Later copy of GLC02437.02000. References the impatience of the officers on Congress's indecisiveness over half-pay. Mentions the Newburgh Address and the call for officers to meet. Washington asked for a postponement of that meeting until next Saturday.

GLC02437.02001