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Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917 to his parents and sister

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07460.008 Author/Creator: Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917 Place Written: South Tunnel, Tennessee Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 21 December 1862 Pagination: 2 p. : envelope Height: 25 cm, Width: 20 cm Order a Copy

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 most." He adds in a postscript note that he has persuaded Darius to go home.

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