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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC07460.108 |
| From Archive Folder | Collection of Lysander Wheeler |
| Title | Lysander Wheeler to his parents, sister and brother-in-law commenting on food, the march to Savannah and the presence of slaves |
| Date | 18 December 1864 |
| Author | Wheeler, Lysander (fl. 1837-1903) |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Writes that he is alright and has survived the march. General William T. Sherman's army is in front of Savannah, Georgia. The army has captured Fort McAllister at the mouth of the Ogeechee River. This allows the Union forces to have communication with the coast. They have recently received their first mail since leaving Atlanta, Georgia. He is glad to hear everyone is doing well and hopes that this letter reaches them in time for New Year's. His regiment is currently behind breastworks on the road running into Savannah. There are rebel batteries to their front throwing shells into the tall pine trees near their works. None of the regiment has been harmed. Reports that they left the Chattahoochee River area on 14 November and arrived near Savannah 10 December. Writes that the rebels will never forget "Sherman's great raid through Georgia." The land around Savannah and the troops are working hard to make a good camp. The troops have been living off of the land have raided into South Carolina to obtain some beef. Notes that there were some slaves still working when the Union began to attack Savannah. Writes of the large amount of food the Union Army found near Savannah. |
| Subjects | Civil War Military History Union Soldier's Letter Union Forces Soldier's Letter Confederate States of America Sherman's March to the Sea Artillery African American History Fortification Military Camp Military Provisions Diet and Nutrition Slavery |
| People | Wheeler, Lysander (fl. 1837-1903) |
| Place written | Savannah, Georgia |
| Theme | The American Civil War; African Americans; Slavery & Abolition |
| Sub-collection | Papers and Images of the American Civil War |
| Additional Information | 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. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Civil War, Reconstruction and the Modern Era: 1860-1945 |
| Civil War: Recipient Relationship | Mother Father Sister Brother-in-law |
| Civil War: Theater of War | Main Western Theater |
| Civil War: Unit | 105th Illinois Infantry, C company |