11 August 1864

Lafferty, Samuel, fl. 1840-1908

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Addresses letter "Friend Joe." Writes from a camp outside Uniontown. Says he didn't think he would live, "...but I am getting tolerably stout again, but not stout enough to stand much exposure." Remarks he didn't think he would be leaving the regiment for good. Discusses going to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania with his company. Informs him he is now waiting for the enemy to approach. States they are well-prepared and fortified. Anticipates going back to Camp Reynolds in Pennsylvania soon. Mentions all "the pretty girls of this state."

GLC03523.10.132

15 August 1864

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter

Title: to Bell Wharton

Letter is not signed, but based on content it is likely written by Joseph Maitland. Expresses great pleasure at receiving her letter. Reports on the food in camp: coffee, sour bread, strong pork, rice and beans once in awhile. "We have an old nigger wench Blacker than the 'Ace of Spades' to cook for us..." Mentions the hundred days men (temporary soldiers), their difficulty adjusting to the climate, and the high amount of sickness among them. Reports that "every evening we hear the muffled Drums & the shrill notes of the Fife telling us that another victim is being borne to his long home…

GLC03523.10.133

16 August 1864

Moore, S.R., fl. 1863-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Writes to Joseph from camp near the Tallahatchie River. Complains of being nearly shirtless and plans to take some Rebel's wardrobe when he gets a chance. Requests Joseph sends some stamps and promises to repay him. Reports a forage party of five men have been detailed to go outside camp, "...we have rather slim rations the country around here for miles is stripped of forage and we have very strict orders about going outside the pickets as there have been several of our men captured."

GLC03523.10.134

4 October 1864

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bell Wharton

Writes to Bell from camp near Memphis. Complains the weather has been wet for a week. Says he has a headache and a sore throat. Reports he was in the city today clerking for a court-martial and is now detailed for that job as long as his regiment is in the county. Informs him he will move to new quarters in the city next week. Mentions a letter from his mother wishing he was home and married. Comments he's "been thinking seriously about keeping 'Bachelor's Hall' if I live to get out of the service." Expresses confidence "that the selection of old 'Abe' will have a great deal to do with…

GLC03523.10.135

7 October 1864

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bell Wharton

Writes to Bell from the "Rooms of General Court Martial" in Memphis. Reports he likes his new job clerking and his room is very nice with a good bed, a coal grate, and gas lighting. Says his work is from nine o'clock in the morning until noon with the rest of the day free. Informs him he received a package from an unknown sender with the "Democratic Ticket" in it and a request to distribute them in the regiment and use his influence in favor of McClellan. Exclaims he does not intend to vote for McClellan. Anticipates the war will be over soon. Discovers he has bed-bugs and is sleeping on the…

GLC03523.10.136

13 October 1864

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bell Wharton

Writes to Bell from the "Rooms of General Court Martial" in Memphis. Claims it's a night for lovers; with dry weather and a shining moon. Informs her there is a "Tin Pan Alley" and shooting gallery in the basement of his building. Reports Union General Ralph P. Buckland won't permit any troops to leave Memphis. Says they expect Confederate General James R. Chalmers to try and take Memphis. States the results of the election were one hundred eighty-nine total votes; one hundred sixty-seven for the Union candidate and twenty-seven for the Democratic. Includes a three cent stamp on the envelope.

GLC03523.10.137

17 October 1864

Maitland, William G., 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: Joseph M. Maitland

Addresses letter "My Dear Bro." Says he is sending him a box with ten dollars, a hat, a pair of cuff gloves, a necktie, three pairs of socks and two shirts. Reports he is done seeding except for the potato patch. Mentions he will use a steam thresher. Discusses the upcoming presidential election and writes "...you and I had better mutually agree to disagree..." Proclaims his loyal support "for the loyal patriot George B. McClellan." Envelope includes a three cent stamp and writing on the back.

GLC03523.10.138

9 October 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Thanks his family for the needle and thread they sent. Reports that General Ward is still in Murfreesboro. Writes that the 129th Ills has gone down to Columbia on the Franklin Road, but have not returned. Expresses his appreciation for the clothes that he's received from home by writing that he shall wear all his clothes on his back should he enter into battle or be in a position where he is likely to lose them. Writes that the prices of clothing have risen considerably since he first entered the service and provides prices for dress coats, overcoats, and blankets. Describes the stove he…

GLC07460.053

11 October 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Reports that General Ward is back in Murfreesboro. Writes that he has sent his ambrotype with the letter (not included) and has framed his mother's likeness, commenting that he is always proud to show it off. Wheeler mentions that he has bought an overcoat and had his boots tapped and nailed in preparation for winter. Writes that he's been so busy mending his clothes that he hasn't had time to make his mother's ring. Reports that the men have inspection this afternoon and jokes that he wants to get the office of inspector general of his mother's pantry when he comes home. In a post…

GLC07460.054

16 October 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Reports on some of the activity going on including train guard and the arrival of trains loaded with men which he thinks may be ill or convalescents. Writes that Confederate General Wheeler has not frightened them with his raids. Writes that ten days rations have been put in the fort but will probably be brought out again for the soldiers to eat. Discusses the price of grain and is glad to hear that oats is selling for a good price. Writes to his mother that he has been singing again. Updates his family on some of the other soldiers from his hometown including John Defield who is sick in…

GLC07460.055

24 October 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister Martha and family

Discusses activity regarding train guard. Writes that they would be able to drive the Rebels from Georgia without firing a gun, if they had Austrian rifles. Mentions that U.S. Grant is now their commander and reports that he passed through Nashville a few days ago with some generals on the way to the front. Writes that it is unlikely that his regiment will be called to the war front. Asks that cheese and butter be delivered to him with someone that is going back to camp. He writes that he'd rather not have more than four or five pounds of butter and a few of cheese at a time. Remarks…

GLC07460.057

29 October 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Writes that some of the men from his regiment are out on train guard duty on a branch road leading out to Tullahoma, Tennessee. He asks that Thomas Albee's mother be told that Albee hasn't been able to write because he's been on train duty. Reports a train attack and raids by some guerillas, but assures his family that the 105th regiment (Wheeler's regiment) hasn't been attacked. Reassures his sister that Lincoln's increasing of troops doesn't mean the war is not going to end soon; on the contrary he writes " if he would call for a million men it would be better." Remarks that " Old Abe…

GLC07460.058

5 November 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Writes that he has just returned from performing the funeral services and burial of George H. Gould. Gould, who shared a tent with Wheeler, had been sick since June from diahrrea, and was transferred to the regimental hospital in August where he died. He also writes that Gould's discharge papers were made out while he was sick in hospital but have not been returned. Furthermore, he explains that if a soldier dies or is discharged before serving two years, the seventy-five dollar bounty is lost. Discusses news about various soldiers from the regiment including a twenty-year old whose legs…

GLC07460.059

14 November 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Remarks that city folks "live too high" compared to soldiers. Writes that he was given three pounds of butter by another soldier which will last him for a while. He will soon know if the company will stay in Nashville through the winter. Reports that the 13th Illinois will be joining the 105th at the front and will arrive at Stevenson in a few days. Writes that he was satisfied with the election returns and states "they certainly bode no evil for our cause and furnish no consolation for Rebels." Jokingly writes that he won't be snow sleighing this winter but will "slay" some Rebels and…

GLC07460.060

February 25, 1865

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter

Title: to Bell Wharton

Joe writes to Bell from Memphis. Responds to her comments on Lord Byron. Admits he is not capable of loving with his whole heart, "But I know I love you more than I can love any one else." Inquires what she would say if he proposed marriage to her. Asks her to "think well" before she answers.

GLC03523.10.164

4 April 1865

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bell Wharton

Joseph writes to Bell informing her he will remain in Memphis indefinitely. Reports his Captain requested he not be transferred due to his excellent qualifications as a clerk. Speculates on the possible reasons for the quick marriage of mutual friends. Complains about the mosquitoes. Letter includes a small fragment.

GLC03523.10.176

7 April 1865

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bell Wharton

Joseph writes to Bell from Memphis. Comments on the delightful weather. States his belief most of the hard fighting is over and expects peace soon. Reminisces about wagon rides they use to take together before the war. Reflects on the possibility of death, "...we have no fears when called to pass the Jordon of Death..."

GLC03523.10.177

9 April 1865-10 April 1865

Maitland, William G., 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Grier writes to his brother from home. Says he has been working hard plowing the fields the past ten days and is very tired. Reports church services have been cancelled due to heavy rain. Mentions mother has a bad cold and asks Joe to write her and tell her to slow down on her activities. Writes he thinks "...the Southern Confederacy is about to crumble to atoms..." Discusses the purchase of a new horse. Letter continues the following day.

GLC03523.10.178

circa 15 April 1865

Wharton, Bell, 1843-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Letter is addressed "My Dear Dearest-Joe." Letter probably written on 15 April 1865. Bell writes, "I don't know when I ever had anything to shock me so as when I heard of the assassination of the President [Abraham Lincoln] this morning...if we had a good Vice President to take his place I wouldn't feel so worried." Reports on a recent flood that "...took all the fences and most of the bridges in its way." Says damage is estimated at ten thousand dollars.

GLC03523.10.179

21 April 1865

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bell Wharton

Joseph writes to Bell complaining about her lack of letters to him. Reports his health is better after a week of medicine and exercise. Comments there were proceedings scheduled in honor of the late President Lincoln, but rain prevented them. Mentions a letter he received from a neighbor at home condemning the use of tobacco; "...she hoped that if I ever got a wife, it would be with the understanding that I would have to give up the use of tobacco entirely."

GLC03523.10.180

5 May 1865

Wharton, Bell, 1843-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Bell writes to "My Dear Dear Joe." Says she is sorry his health is poor and wishes he could get a discharge. Mentions the wet spring they are having and the planting of flowers. Expresses concern for his safety and longing for his return.

GLC03523.10.181

5 May 1865

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bell Wharton

Joe writes to "Dear Darling Bell." Reports on a picnic given by the ladies of St. Peter's Church. "...there must have been as many as 200 couples dancing at one time. The crowd was considerably mixed, and I did not take any part." Comments on a letter he received from a female friend filled with details of a wedding she attended, "...as though that interested me." Remarks how lonely he is "...in the Crowded City."

GLC03523.10.182

9 May 1865

Wharton, Bell, 1843-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Bell writes to Joe from home. Says the weather is very rainy and slowing down their planting. Reports her aid society meets tomorrow. Anticipates they will disband soon "...as the Confederacy is played out and the war is over."

GLC03523.10.183

28 May 1865

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bell Wharton

Joe writes to "My Dear Dear Bell" from Memphis. Informs he is growing impatient to muster out: "...One day it will be that an order has just been received to muster out all "Detached men" who are absent from their commands and the next day it will be contradicted." Comments on the rumors they are exchanging "love letters." Asks how the frosts have affected the fruit up north.

GLC03523.10.184

11 August 1863

Jeffery, Richard W., fl. 1855-1899

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Jeffery

Reprimanding Aaron for not writing more frequently--"...in reason of your long silence I am sometimes very uneasy." Richard continues to address the resistance of Charleston and the placing of heavy artillery guns mounted in front of Fort Wagner which will soon be within range of Fort Sumter. He hopes that Gen. Lee is receiving reinforcements, analyzes an article written by Aaron and suggests adding in a discussion of the "no [sic] nothing affair" and differences between the Puritan and the Catholic churches. Inquires if their are enough supporting troops in supporting distance of Richmond.…

GLC01896.056