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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Unknown to Joe

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.10.114 Author/Creator: Unknown Place Written: West Jefferson, Ohio Type: Autograph letter Date: 2 February 1864 Pagination: 2 p. ; 20 x 12.5 cm. Order a Copy

Signature is illegible. Letter is addressed, "Friend Joe," who is possibly Joseph Maitland. Writes he is sorry to hear of his family sickness, commenting "were it not for sickness we would not know how to appreciate health properly." Remarks that he has been enjoying the nice weather they have been having and states, "how can you keep from falling in love I find it almost impossible, such weather makes me feel good and incline towards the good, kind, and beautiful beings." Informs him that he thinks his regiment is going down South again soon.

Joseph Maitland enlisted on 8 August 1862 as a Private. He was mustered into "G" Co. OH 95th Infantry. He was mustered out 31 May 1865 at Memphis, Tennessee.

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