17 September 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

He is happy to hear news about home from a friend that has just returned to camp from Sycamore (Wheeler's hometown in Illinois). Writes that he has only been on picket once since leaving Murfreesboro and his duties have been very light. Wheeler and another soldier, [Issac] Brundage, are flag bearers.

GLC07460.050

1 October 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister Martha [Spohn] and family

Reports on the continuous rainy weather. Comments on the quality of tents the soldiers are living in, stating that if they lived off what the government gave them it would be like lying on the ground with " two bed sheets over a ridge pole for a cover." Writes that three Army Corps will be passing through Nashville on their way to reinforce Rosecrans. Informs his family that a building in Nashville used as a barracks for imprisoned rebels has partially caved in, killing and injuring some ninety-five people. Hopes that his hometown friend, Ella Lattin, recovers her health. Writes that he…

GLC07460.051

5 October 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister Martha [Spohn]

Wheeler is sorry to hear of Ella Lattin's death and writes that he was planning to send her a ring in a letter. Reports that part of General Ward's staff has gone to Murfreesboro. Writes that Colonel Dustan is in command of the 105th Illinois while Ward and Harrison are absent. Expects that there will be some fighting soon, as there are thousands of troops going through Nashville on loaded train cars. Recounts meeting Colonel Bob Thomas' wife, who delivered some shirts to Wheeler on behalf of Wheeler's mother. Writes that he attended a Methodist school which was dull compared to the…

GLC07460.052

23 September 1863

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

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Discusses daily life and happenings at camp. Mentions [Brigadier General James W.] McMillan inspected their camp last Sunday and "Put several privates under arrest and I think reduced some Corporal to the ranks." Lists several promotions that have happened recently. There is a very short note at the end of the letter, written by P. Coleman which states that he hopes he is in good spirits.

GLC03523.10.105

27 October 1863

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Grier Maitland

Reports from camp to his brother. Speaks of receiving a letter from an unknown woman. Writes he is very thankful that his health is good, as many of his fellow soldiers' health is not well. Remarks, "Our Co is getting very small one by one our numbers is passing away, and the question arises who will be next."

GLC03523.10.109

28 October 1863

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother

Writes to his brother, possibly Grier Maitland, reporting that he is still in good health, although he is very tired from picket duty.

GLC03523.10.110

4 November 1863

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Grier Maitland

Reports to his brother from "Camp on Cowan's Plantation," telling him "A more beautiful morning never dawned in the state of Miss. than this..." Mentions they received marching orders but they do not know where they are heading. Continues the letter the next day, noting that he went on picket duty and that even though it rained, he and the rest of the soldiers had a good time.

GLC03523.10.111

9 March 1864

Autograph letter

Title: to Bell Wharton

Possibly written by Joseph Maitland, based on content. Begins letter to Bell with a love poem, "Old Song." Tells her that he was thinking of her and the song came into his mind, especially because of the lines, "'never till life and memory perish, can I forget how dear thou art to me.' " Writes that he wants to wrap his arms around her, and that he could express his feelings much better in person. Asks her "not to tell any one the nonsense I write to you, or they certainly would think I was a big fool."

GLC03523.10.115

20 June 1862

Blanchard, Ira, 1835-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary (Wright) Kellogg

Blanchard writes to Mary Wright from Jackson, Tennessee, "...one of the most delightful cities I ever saw." Says the aristocracy of the south resides there. Mentions many slaves escaped to their lines and rewards of two-hundred dollars were being offered for their return. Informs they are called "bluebelied yankees." Upon the occupation of the city, "about 600 negroe girls elegantly dresed in their silks and satins came out to meet us each caring a rose in their black hands..." Reports going to church with "darkies" and being impressed with the sermon. Letter is faded and has an emblem.

GLC03523.31.15

18 August 1862

Blanchard, Ira, 1835-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary (Wright) Kellogg

Blanchard writes to Mary Wright from camp on the Hatchie River. Mentions the warm weather and his illness. Reports on the imminent arrival of 600,000 more troops. Anticipates the end of the rebellion soon. Comments on the Confiscation Act of 1862 and how it "... will be a severe blow to rebels if properly carried out by our generals." Says they eat peaches and melons which grow in great abundance. Offers his opinion on what to do with the negroes; "...give them a spot of earth where they may dwell by themselves away from the whites, let the white women marry the white man and the black woman…

GLC03523.31.16

6 September 1862

Blanchard, Ira, 1835-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary (Wright) Kellogg

Blanchard writes to Mary Wright from Jackson, Tennessee. Says things look gloomy for the Union, especially in the East. Reports on the victorious battle of Britton's Lane led by Union Colonel Elias S. Dennis. Informs the intense heat caused soldiers to fall exhausted before the battle began. Comments their guns were so warm from excessive use they could barely manage them. States they buried their dead at night. Says upon their return to Jackson, Union Generals John A. Logan and Leonard F. Ross praised their victory as "...the greatest achievement in the history of the world." Compliments her…

GLC03523.31.17

4 October 1862

Blanchard, Ira, 1835-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary (Wright) Kellogg

Blanchard writes to Mary Wright from Jackson, Tennessee. Thanks her for the flowers she enclosed in her letter. Comments, " the flowers which grow here are very beautiful, I think their breath is not poisoned with the sentiment of treason..." Expresses interest in knowing "...who you are waiting for" to marry. Says the rebels are in force at Bethel, Tennessee and have cut off their communication with Corinth, Mississippi. Talks about the vigorous efforts underway to secure the city of Jackson. Asks her what she thinks of the Emancipation Proclamation. States he is happy about it and hopes…

GLC03523.31.18

8 November 1862

Blanchard, Ira, 1835-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary (Wright) Kellogg

Blanchard writes to Mary Wright from Carroll Station. Includes the words of a love song. Describes the "darkies" returning home from the cotton fields with baskets of cotton on their heads. Explains what a cotton gin does and says the cotton fields are beautiful when fully ripe. Discusses the different responsibilities of soldiers and sergeants on guard duty. States part of his Brigade has gone to Boliver, Tennessee and if no attack occurs, Union General Ulysses S. Grant will move them to Holly Springs, Mississippi. Reports peaches are out of season but have been replaced with persimmons,…

GLC03523.31.19

January 30, 1863

Blanchard, Ira, 1835-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary (Wright) Kellogg

Blanchard writes to Mary Wright from a camp in the suburbs of Memphis, Tennessee. Reports on the lovely weather. Expresses pleasure she is attending school. States Union General Ulysses S. Grant is amassing troops outside Vicksburg, Mississippi and his regiment expects to go there soon. Describes in detail his visit to Elmwood Cemetery, where thousands of Union and Confederate soldiers are buried. Complains the monument of Andrew Jackson in the cemetery had been vandalized at the start of the rebellion. Expresses disgust at Illinois Democrats and their law to "..whip and sell niggers...they…

GLC03523.31.20

March 7, 1863

Blanchard, Ira, 1835-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary (Wright) Kellogg

Blanchard writes to Mary Wright from a camp on Lake Providence. Refers to her letter of February fourteenth, and comments on the meaning of St. Valentines Day. Thanks her for the rose enclosed in the letter and says he "...will carry it on the bloody battle-field..." Discusses his trip down the river on the steamer Continental. Comments on the beauty of Lake Providence. Mentions it is one mile wide and fifteen miles long. Reports his camp extends on the southern shore for several miles and they are constructing boats.

GLC03523.31.21

6 April 1863

Maitland, John A., fl. 1854-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [James M. Maitland]

Tells his brother that he has been happily working at the Rolling Mill, where he has made 900 dollars. He is also in good health. Reports on farm activities and comments that their uncle, James Maitland died two years ago. States, "Conflict has come upon us at last the Fanatics North & South have Cursed our Country and God only knows when it will end. We have had a repetition of the reign of terror that our Forefathers Experienced." Continues on about the war, "Why I hardly know Who I was he says you are going to fight for your Country aint you boy you'll Fight for the Constitution &…

GLC03523.10.062

23 April 1863

Petty, John S., 1838-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Writes to his friend from the 13th Army Corps apologizing for not getting back to him sooner. Written on Head Quarters, 13th Army Corps letterhead. Envelope is addressed to Maitland "near Young's Point," Louisiana.

GLC03523.10.064

27 April 1863

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Grier Maitland

Reports to his brother, discussing possible troop movements. Reports a "rumour" the Rebels are evacuating Vicksburg. Writes that all their friends are doing well, and notes that his brother may call "the Colt after Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, the last name will do very well." Includes a short note which was written 28 April.

GLC03523.10.065

10 May 1863

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Provides his son with details about various friends and family members. Admits he previously published one of Joseph's letters without his permission and asks if he can continue doing so. Writes to him, "The recent News of the taking of Richmond has cheered the hearts of those who are anxious for the Suppression of the Rebellion and the dawn of Peace." There are two small holes on the left side of the letter, causing text loss.

GLC03523.10.066

8 June 1863

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his Brother

Writes from the "Rear of Vicksburg," reporting that "little firing has been done for several days on either side. We are just lying here keeping the Rebs. in & tormenting them once in a while with a few Shells. It is hard to tell when they will be willing to surrender but I don't think they can hold out very long."

GLC03523.10.071

20 June 1863

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter

Title: to Brother [incomplete]

Writes from the "Rear of Vicksburg" to his brother. Tells him, "last night Co. E of our Regt. went on Picket. They advanced so close to the Rebs. that they were fired into & 8 or 9 of Co. were wounded..." Reports that the next morning, "a general bombardment of the Rebels was to be made all round the line accordingly...then you had better believe we heard music, The firing continued until 10 o'clock this forenoon when it gradually ceased. What effect our firing had on the Rebs I cant tell but think it certainly must have been a tolerably warm place inside their Fort. Johnston was coming…

GLC03523.10.073

27 June 1863

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter

Title: to his friend

Writes to a friend from camp near Black River, Mississippi, reporting that they recently left their camp in Vicksburg because "old Joe Johnston was coming up in our rear." Mentions that Generals Ambrose Burnside and Stephen Hurlbut have come with reinforcements. Reports that Union forces are strong in the area, as he is flanked by Quinby's Division, Sherman's Corps, and part of McClernand's Corps. Writes that two days prior, in Vicksburg, "Rebels came out their Fortifications and attempted to break through our lines but were defeated... They were forced to go back in their fort with heavy…

GLC03523.10.076

6 July 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Wheeler reminds his family that mail isn't always regular and asks them not to panic if they don't hear from him regularly. Feels that his company would have won the barrel of beer for best drilling had Captain Fields not mixed up his orders. Describes a 4th of July gun salute gone awry. Reports that the company has just received orders to move.

GLC07460.038

12 July 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

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

Thanks his family for sending him the trunk of food and writes that it came at a good time because rations have been meager. Jokes that he will take his trunk with him now that he knows it can be carried and will give it furlough when it needs to return home. Writes that he wishes General John Hunt Morgan would massacre all the Copperheads in Indiana and "get massacred himself and all his crew". Also writes that the war would end more quickly if the Rebels "penetrated all the way up to Chicago" as the Northern Copperheads would "get sacked up". Praises Rosecrans and the fall of Vicksburg…

GLC07460.039

26 July 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, brother, and sister

Writes that musicians have it the easiest in the regiment because they can always stay in camp and out of the weather. Mentions to Darius, his brother-in-law, that the musicians speak highly of him all the time. Writes that he is glad his mother does not want a negro girl as he feels he's seen enough negroes to last him until the end of the war without having to live with one. Discusses his opinion on negroes in the South and emancipation. Describes going to town and seeing nothing but negroes everywhere: "If I was a stranger here to the country I would quickly decide that the country was…

GLC07460.040