Nathaniel Wheeler correspondence

Finding aid prepared by Gina C Giang.

Manuscripts Department

The Huntington Library

1151 Oxford Road

San Marino, California 91108

Phone: (626) 405-2203

Fax: (626) 449-5720

Email: manuscripts@huntington.org

URL: http://www.huntington.org

Descriptive Summary

Title: Nathaniel Wheeler correspondence

Dates: 1865-1867

Collection Number: mssHM 81470-81546

Creator: Wheeler, Nathaniel S., 1832-1904

Extent: 77 items in 2 boxes

Repository: The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens Manuscripts Department

The Huntington Library

1151 Oxford Road

San Marino, California 91108

Phone: (626) 405-2203

Fax: (626) 449-5720

Email: manuscripts@huntington.org

URL: http://www.huntington.org

Abstract: This collection consists of 76 letters, the majority addressed to Nathaniel S. Wheeler at various "Wild West" duty posts such as Fort Bliss, Texas and Fort Craig, New Mexico.

Language of Material: The records are in English.

Administration Information

Access

Collection is open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, please go to following web site .

Publication Rights

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining permission rests with the researcher.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Nathaniel Wheeler correspondence, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Acquisition Information

Purchased from Cowan's Auctions, November 21, 2014

Biography

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.

Scope and Content

Wheeler's wife, Nellie F. Stanley, writes mostly about the health of friends and family, the weather, and daily life in Enfield, New Hampshire. She often mentions Mrs. Day, whose husband is also a captain, serving along with Wheeler. The difficulty of a long distant marriage is expressed in one letter dated April 12, 1866: "I don't know what I want to live for. Natt have I got to give you up...Dear Natt leave me I can't be happy. Oh! Natt what made you enlist again..." Based on the contents of Stanley's letters, Wheeler is hunting buffalos, chasing Indians, and writes often about his adopted pets named Pinky and Fanny. Also, Wheeler's portrayal of the American frontier is probably not favorable because Stanley writes "...don't think I should care to go so far to see the Country don't think it can be pretty by your description. I never should want my home in Mexico" (Oct. 28, 1866).

There are a few letters from friends, possibly family, updating Wheeler on politics. In one letter concerning the Copperheads, W.C. Clough writes, "Well Nat I suppose the whole Copperhead party would vote for the d m d old Cuss to day. But what few there are here do not dare to advocate his policy. What a damnd old fool the old Cuss has made of himself...if he don't mind his eye he may get kicked out of his box next Dec..." (Oct. 19, 1866).

While most of the letters are from his wife, there are a few from colleagues manning other frontier forts. Writing from Fort Craig, New Mexico, a fellow soldier encounters a blizzard in Rio Puerco, New Mexico: "When we got to the Rio Puerco we had a bitterly cold storm with snow and a heavy north wind, so that I laid there two nights and a day, during the whole time every one staid in bed to keep warm as there was no wood and what little fire could be raised was needed for cooking" (April 11, 1867). The hardship and frustration in the southwest desert is described in another passage by A.K. [Kepurr?]: "Isn't this a horrible country-I cannot express myself to my satisfaction if I were a swearing man...I am getting more tired of it every day. What trouble these infernal Indians are" (July 26, 1867). On May 11, 1867, Wheeler is regaled with the tale of Lt. Clifford: "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." In another letter written by William Langley Seran from Leavenworth, Kansas, Seran describes lonesome life in Kansas and the farming opportunities. In one passage, he proposes "...it would be a good idea to form a Colony of the Officers of the 125th then we could have a good Society to commence with and inviting" (Nov. 24, 1867).

Arrangement

This collection is arranged chronologically.

Indexing Terms

Personal Names

Wheeler, Nathaniel S., 1832-1904

Corporate Names

United States. Army. Colored Infantry Regiment, 125 (1865-1867)

Subjects

Copperhead movement

Farmers--Kansas

Frontier and pioneer life--Kansas

Frontier and pioneer life--New Mexico

Husband and wife

Indians of North America

Geographic Areas

New Hampshire--Politics and government--1865-1950

New Hampshire--Social life and customs

Genre

Letters (correspondence)--United States--19th century

Postmarks--United States--19th century

Box 1

HM 81470-81506

HM 81470 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1865, May 22)

HM 81471 -----, Susan 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Fitchburg, Mass. (1865, Oct. 15)

HM 81472 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1865, Oct. 22)

HM 81473 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1865, Nov. 12)

HM 81474 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Fitchburg, Mass. (1865, Nov. 23)

HM 81475 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1866, Feb. 11)

HM 81476 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1866, Apr. 12)

HM 81477 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1866, Apr. 29)

HM 81478 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1866, May 13)

HM 81479 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1866, May 15)

HM 81480 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1866, May 27)

HM 81481 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1866, June 8)

HM 81482 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1866, June 10)

HM 81483 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1866, June 17)

HM 81484 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1866, June 29)

HM 81485 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield N.H. (1866, July 15)

HM 81486 Spalding, Emma F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Groton, Mass. (1866, July 16)

Note: With additional note from Wheeler’s brother, initialed M.B.L.?

HM 81487 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1866, July 29)

HM 81488 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1866, Aug. 1)

HM 81489 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1866, Aug. 15)

HM 81490 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1866, Sep. 16)

HM 81491 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1866, Sep. 18)

HM 81492 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1866, Sep. 24)

HM 81493 [sister] 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Litchfield, Me. (1866, Oct. 4)

HM 81494 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Concord, N.H. (1866, Oct. 8)

HM 81495 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1866, Oct. 15)

HM 81496 Clough, W.C. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1866, Oct. 19)

HM 81497 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1866, Oct. 21)

HM 81498 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1866, Oct. 28)

HM 81499 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1866, Oct. 31)

HM 81500 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1866, Nov. 4)

HM 81501 S., Arthur F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Meriden, N.H. (1866, Nov. 11)

HM 81502 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1866, Nov. 14)

HM 81503 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1866, Nov. 19)

HM 81504 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1866, Nov. 25)

HM 81505 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1866, Dec. 2)

HM 81506 S., Arthur F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Meriden, N.H. (1866, Dec. 9)

Box 2

HM 81507-81546

HM 81507 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1866, Dec. 9)

HM 81508 [sister] 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Litchfield, Me. (1866, Dec. 23)

HM 81509 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1866, Dec. 25)

HM 81510 S, Arthur F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Meriden, N.H. (1866, Dec. 30)

HM 81511 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1867, Jan. 1)

HM 81512 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1867, Jan. 2)

HM 81513 Envelope only (1867, Jan. 8)

HM 81514 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1867, Jan. 13)

HM 81515 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1867, Jan. 17)

HM 81516 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1867, Jan. 24)

HM 81517 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1867, Jan. 27)

HM 81518 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1867, Jan. 30)

HM 81519 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1867, Feb. 22)

HM 81520 S., Arthur F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Meriden, N.H. (1867, Mar. 4)

HM 81521 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1867, Mar. 6)

HM 81522 S., Arthur F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Meriden, N.H. ([1867], Mar. 24)

HM 81523 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1867, Mar. 28)

HM 81524 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1867, Mar. 31)

HM 81525 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1867, Apr. 3)

HM 81526 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1867, Apr. 7)

HM 81527 [Elliot, Will R.?] 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Fort Craig, N.M. (1867, Apr. 11)

HM 81528 Wheeler, Nathaniel S. 1 letter to Nellie F. Stanley, Fort Bliss, Tex. (1867, Apr. 20)

HM 81529 [Kepurr, A.K.?] 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Fort Craig, N.M. (1867, May 3)

HM 81530 [Elliot, Will R.?] 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Fort Craig, N.M. (1867, May 11)

HM 81531 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1867, May 25)

HM 81532 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1867, May 26)

HM 81533 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1867, May 28)

HM 81534 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1867, May 28)

HM 81535 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1867, June 2)

HM 81536 S., Arthur F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Meriden , N.H. (1867, July 1)

HM 81537 Stanley, Nellie [F.] 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. ([1867], July 22)

HM 81538 [Kepurr, A.K.?] 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Fort Craig, N.M. (1867, July 26)

HM 81539 [S., Arthur F.] 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Meriden, N.H. (1867, Aug. 5)

HM 81540 Wheeler, Nathaniel S. 1 letter to Nellie F. Stanley, Fort Selden, N.M. (1867, Aug. 9)

HM 81541 Wheeler, Nathaniel S. 1 letter to Nellie F. Stanley, Socorro County (N.M.) (1867, Aug. 20 and 25)

HM 81542 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1867, Aug. 25)

HM 81543 [Kepurr, A.K.?] 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Fort Craig, N.M. (1867, Aug. 31)

HM 81544 Stanley, Nellie F. 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Enfield, N.H. (1867, Sep. 1)

HM 81545 Elliot, Will R.?] 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Fort Union, N.M. (1867, Oct. 22)

HM 81546 Seran, William Langley 1 letter to Nathaniel S. Wheeler, Fort Leavenworth, Kan. (1867, Nov. 24)