Peyton Wheeler Letter

Minnie Wheeler Clark had the original copy of this letter. It is now in the Wheeler Scrapbook in the Archives Room 6 of the Eugene Barker Library of the University of Texas and is a part of the Simson E. Clark Family Collection. The Call Number for the Wheeler Scrapbook is C 31/29.

In Camps near the Southern Rail Road 25 miles east of Jackson, Mississippi July 19, 1863.

Dear Beloved Wife:

I again seat myself this evening to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well at present, hoping these lines will find you enjoying good health. Martha, we was in a fight on the 11th and 12th at Jackson. Our Battallion lost three killed and nine wounded. I will give you some of the names. S. M. Holloway in the arm and had it taken off, Braye Hart in the thigh severely, James Howard in the thigh slightly, those were all of our Company B. John Young of Company A. was killed, Adjutant Dulin was killed shot through the heart, the balls and shells flew thick and fast, the battle commenced on the ninth and we fell back on the night of the 16th, that makes seven days we fought them. On the night of the 17th, I stood guard on the front lines outside of the breastworks. I could hear the Feds talking all night. Next morning at 8 o'clock, they commenced the (most) terrific bombardment that I ever heard. We left about 50 killed. I do not know how many was wounded. The Feds loss that I know of was about 750 killed and a great many wounded and 300 prisoners, one Battery and three stands of colors, perhaps you may want to know the reason we fell back. The reason was the Feds surrounded us, trying to cut off our transportation. Our men planted torpedoes in the road to blow them up if they pursued us. They were big shells full of powder and shot with a match when touched, it will explode. The Fall of Vicksburg and Fort Hudson has disheartened the Army very much. I do not know where we will make another stand. It is thought on Tom Bigby River in Alabama. Martha, tell Mother she has got one brave boy. Tell her, Ben stood up to the music like a man. The bullets came close enough to me to feel the wind of them. The most disheartening thing in a battle is the groans of the wounded. I do not care how wicked a man is, the first word when he is shot is O'Lordy. We could hear the Yanks when they were shot. Martha, if the Feds ever come in Texas and I can hear it, I am coming to Texas to fight them. I will not stay here and them there. I recond Will is at home or will be by the time this comes to hand. I heard they were payrolled and set across the river so I will quit as I am very tired and think it doubtful about you getting this although I give a dollar to send it across the river by a man in Arkansas. I do not expect you will hear from us often and I never expect to hear from home til I come home, and God knows when that will be, I do not. Write if you ever have a chance to send them. I never have heard from you.

Your Boy, 
Peyton Wheeler 

Note: Peyton’s three brothers, who were also in the Civil War, are William Henry Wheeler, Samuel Alfred Russell Wheeler and Benjamin Franklin Wheeler. Note that “Will” or William Henry Wheeler is “payrolled and set across the river” but, in fact, is captured and dies in a New Orleans POW camp hospital.