Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917 to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister
Order a pdf of this item here.
A high-resolution version of this object is available for registered users. LOG IN
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07460.029 Author/Creator: Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917 Place Written: Gallatin, Tennessee Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 May 1863 Pagination: 10 p. : envelope ; 20 x 23.5 cm. Order a Copy
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 that nearly fifty thousand men (about 25,000 from each side) were "used up" in the last battle of the Rappahannock. Writes that soldiers unfit for active service will be put in companies for garrison duty. Discharged officers will also be enlisted on certain conditions. In a second letter labeled " 2nd edition", Wheeler writes about stealing vegetables from a large "secesh" garden. He also provides a description of the town of Cairo. The letter is continued on May 27th where he writes that Charles Seidel has finally returned. A third sheet labeled "edition 3rd" continues the writing on May 27th. Wheeler is very grateful for the letters and goodies his family continuously send him. He is particularly grateful for the butter he received stating that "nothing is more prized in the army than good butter..." He writes that some men from the regiment will be going on furlough tomorrow for fifteen days.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.