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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC07460.066 |
| From Archive Folder | Collection of Lysander Wheeler |
| Title | Lysander Wheeler to his parents, sister and brother-in-law thanking them for sending Christmas gifts and mentioning a comrade's brother who is digging for gold in California |
| Date | 24 December 1863 |
| Author | Wheeler, Lysander (fl. 1837-1903) |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Thanks his family for the gift of "goodies" he received for Christmas and hopes that he will be able to share Christmas with them after the war is over. Writes that he is very proud of his nephew Welly (Wellington Spohn) and expects to receive a letter from him in his own handwriting. Recollects that a year ago his brother-in-law, Darius left the Tunnel. Wheeler writes that he was afraid for Darius but would not have told him so at the time. Writes that he doesn't expect much of a draft in Illinois as the bounty will tempt many to enlist. Reports that Hiram Wright and Perry of company F have died of the small pox. He also reports that John Wright has come down with small pox, but not seriously. Most of the men that have come down with small pox have only contracted the "valleloid" (or varioloid, a milder form of small pox occurring in people who have been vaccinated or have already had the disease). Updates his family on news of several soldiers. He mentions that a brother of one of the soldiers is out in California digging for gold and getting rich. Continues the letter on Christmas day. He writes that Ed Stowe's wife roasted a turkey for the soldiers. To accompany the turkey, they will have smashed potatoes and pies that Wheeler plans to make from a family receipt (recipe). |
| Subjects | Civil War Military History Union Soldier's Letter Union Forces Soldier's Letter American West Gold Rush Diet and Nutrition Military Provisions Women's History Marriage Holidays and Celebrations Gift Children and Family Conscription Soldier's Pay Death Smallpox Health and Medical Epidemic |
| People | Wheeler, Lysander (fl. 1837-1903) |
| Place written | Nashville, Tennessee |
| Theme | The American Civil War; Health & Medicine; Westward Expansion; Children & Family |
| 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 |