Civil War Captain’s Letters to be Explored at Brookside Museum Event

BALLSTON SPA — Author David Handy will discuss his latest book, “I Think I Shall See a Hundred Battles: The Civil War Letters of Captain Luther M. Wheeler,” at the Brookside Museum in Ballston Spa on Wednesday, June 11, at 7 p.m.

Handy will recount the tale of the young captain Wheeler using correspondence sent during his time in the 77th Regiment of the Union Army of the Potomac. The collection of letters to his mother, brothers Frank and Wendell, and his sister Abigail give a deep insight into the experiences of Captain Wheeler, as well as a glimpse of life in Saratoga during the war years. 

Wheeler wrote about military life, Union war strategy, the carnage of battle and aftermath, the Emancipation Proclamation, slavery and contrabands, army commanders, and the role of Providence in the war. Luther also eagerly sought news from home, especially of his friends’ doings and who was courting who.

Handy is an Upstate native and a graduate of Union College, where he studied 19th century American history.

Registration for the event is now open at https://brooksidemuseum.org/events/.