77 letters, plus covers, many with rare postmarks. Nathaniel S. Wheeler served three years in the New Hampshire 11th Infantry in the Civil War, being discharged on April 24, 1865, to become a lieutenant in the 125th Regiment, US Colored Troops. After the war, the 125th was sent West to fight the Plains Indians. Promoted to captain of Company "G," he mustered out on October 3, 1867, shortly before the regiment was disbanded. This archive of letters addressed to Wheeler at various "Wild West" duty posts such as Leavenworth, Ft. Bliss, TX, and Ft Craig, NM, spans 1865 through 1867. While most are from his wife and friends in New Hampshire, some are from colleagues manning frontier forts. These passages give an idea of the hardship and frustration experienced by Civil War veterans while trying to chase down elusive Apaches and other tribes in the desert Southwest. One colleague relates the joy of being caught in the badlands during an April blizzard, with no firewood to be found: When we got to the Rio Pueblo we had a bitterly cold storm with much snow and a heavy north wind, so that I laid there two nights and a day. During the whole time, everyone stayed in bed to keep warm, as there was no wood, and what little fire could be raised was used for cooking. Another officer remarks, I could express myself to my satisfaction if I were a swearing man... what a trouble these infernal Indians are. On May 11, 1867, Wheeler was regaled with the tale of Lt. Clifford of the 2nd Cavalry: Lt. Clifford of the 2nd Cav halted through here a short time ago on a seven day leave, after his wife who again left him whilst he was kept under guard. He did not catch her though, at Albuquerque he drew a revolver on Col. Duncan and demanded his wife from him or something else to that effect, doing the same towards several other officers, for which he suddenly found himself in the guard house. What will eventually come of him I cannot say. The Court Martial at Albuquerque is still in session and likely will be for some time yet.
77 letters, plus covers, many with rare postmarks. Nathaniel S. Wheeler served three years in the New Hampshire 11th Infantry in the Civil War, being discharged on April 24, 1865, to become a lieutenant in the 125th Regiment, US Colored Troops. After the war, the 125th was sent West to fight the Plains Indians. Promoted to captain of Company "G," he mustered out on October 3, 1867, shortly before the regiment was disbanded. This archive of letters addressed to Wheeler at various "Wild West" duty posts such as Leavenworth, Ft. Bliss, TX, and Ft Craig, NM, spans 1865 through 1867. While most are from his wife and friends in New Hampshire, some are from colleagues manning frontier forts. These passages give an idea of the hardship and frustration experienced by Civil War veterans while trying to chase down elusive Apaches and other tribes in the desert Southwest. One colleague relates the joy of being caught in the badlands during an April blizzard, with no firewood to be found: When we got to the Rio Pueblo we had a bitterly cold storm with much snow and a heavy north wind, so that I laid there two nights and a day. During the whole time, everyone stayed in bed to keep warm, as there was no wood, and what little fire could be raised was used for cooking. Another officer remarks, I could express myself to my satisfaction if I were a swearing man... what a trouble these infernal Indians are. On May 11, 1867, Wheeler was regaled with the tale of Lt. Clifford of the 2nd Cavalry: Lt. Clifford of the 2nd Cav halted through here a short time ago on a seven day leave, after his wife who again left him whilst he was kept under guard. He did not catch her though, at Albuquerque he drew a revolver on Col. Duncan and demanded his wife from him or something else to that effect, doing the same towards several other officers, for which he suddenly found himself in the guard house. What will eventually come of him I cannot say. The Court Martial at Albuquerque is still in session and likely will be for some time yet.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
