September 1862 - 26 May1865

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Header Record

Title: Collection of Lysander Wheeler, C company, 105th regiment, Illinois, infantry [Decimalized .001-.123]

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.

GLC07460

24 November 1862

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents and sister

Writes that he and Darius have received money by way of Mrs. Warner, their captain's wife. He reports that General Dumont is issuing a notice in the papers identifying men who have deserted and offering a reward for their return. In response, the regiment voted that "it was justice to proceed in this manner." Wheeler writes that he and Darius are elated that they have their families support.

GLC07460.006

2 April 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 could live and still keep a place in the village. Reports that Companies A and I have been sent down the railroad towards Nashville after hearing that rebels were tearing up the railroad tracks. Addresses Darius (his brother-in-law) specifically and tells him that he will be moving to better quarters. Writes that he had been sick but is now better.

GLC07460.023

17 April 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 soldiers even though some regiments, such as the 79th Ohio are not necessarily liked. Writes that while commanding a post, a negro informed them that some rebels were cutting down telegraph poles. As a result, General Paine sent out six companies from the 70th Indiana and all of the mounted regimental scouts. Discusses another rebel raid in…

GLC07460.024

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

January 18, 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

January 30, 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

February 4, 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

February 21, 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

February 23, 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

February 23, 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

February 25, 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

15 March 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Wheeler writes that the men have been busy foraging for Rosecrans' Army. He comments that they've been learning drilling in the French fashion. Writes that the men have taken to singing at night in their tents and have some pieces of sheet music including "The Soldier's Dream". He also writes that his favorite piece is "Never Forget the Dear Ones that Cluster Around thy Home". Updates his family on the health of his company and writes that it is harder for a soldier to get a furlough. Writes about the alcohol problem at camp and states that although he is offered liquor everyday, he…

GLC07460.022

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

29 March 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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