One letter from Lyman


Lyman Wilber was the 7th child in a family of 8. He and 3 brothers, Darius, Milo and Philo, went to be soldiers. Only Milo and Darius survived.

Lyman was discribed as being 18 years of age,5 feet 7½ inches tall, having a fair complexion, black eyes and red hair, occupation: farmer, when he enlisted in the 154th NY Regiment, assigned to Co.G. He was wounded in action, June 6 or 12, 1863 and had returned to his company by August.

By 1864, the 154th NY Regiment was serving in the west, Lookout Valley, Tennessee. It was from there that Lyman wrote to his Uncle Nathen Wilber.


Camp in Lookout Valley, Nashville, Tenn.
January the 29, 1864

Dear Ouncle and Aunt,
As I have a few leasuare moments to my self I thought that I would improve them in writing to you. I guess you have thought that I dident think much of my relation because I didnt write. The reason I have not writen before is that I am ashame to write for I cant spell nor write so enny one can read it but I thought that I would write and if you cant read it jest send it back and I will read it for you.

It is very pleasant hear today. It is jest as warm as I care about having it but I expect to see some warm days next summer. I allmost dread to see sumer come. I supose you have sean some cold weather up thare by what I have heard. Well it was some cold hear if I am enny judge. Thare was a number froze to death in Chatanauga about fore miles from hear but wee have got a veary warm place in the valley and wee have got us lettle log houses and everything is slick around us. Wee keep our streats swep so it looks veary nice but it will soon play out for I think that wee will half to march before long but I hope not. I should not care so much about it if I was agoing to march home but this marching up to be shot at it hant a veary pleasant thing I notice but Ouncle it dont make so much diferrence if wee are prepard to meat our god in peas (peace) that is what I look at but I hope and pray that I may live so hapy that if wee never see each other on earth again that I can meat you around the throne of god but I hope and trust that I schall have the privelage of seeing all of my firends again before I die. New(knew) of poor Oscar is dead and goan home to rest. I received a letter from Milo and he is well and enjoying himself. Well I have not sean Charles (a cousin in the same regiment) in some time but he was well the last time I see him. He is down to the landing about fore miles from hear. Wee have some drilling to do and some fatique duty to do jest anough to keep us healthy. Now ouncle as this paper is most scribled over I will half to close by saying write and you will oblige me veary much..

From Mr. Lyman C. Wilber
To Ouncle Nathen Wilber


Lyman was just 20 years old when he died Febuary 25th, 1864, of typhoid fever and congestion of the lungs. His body and that of his brother Philo who died April 20, 1865 as a result of a wound, were returned home to be buried.


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