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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