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

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

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

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

February 24, 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

There was a very difficult battle but his regiment killed more Confederates than any other. If those she sells crops to will not "take Uncle Sam's money at ful face let them go without it for I don't want to serve in their place and then them not take such money as I get."

GLC02739.038

February 25, 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

He does not regret joining the army "for it has bin a blessing to me, and I think it wil work out for good to us all in the long run." He will never desert but does not blame anyone for deserting as "our men is meaner than the rebbels."

GLC02739.039

8 March 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

He will not pretend to be sick just to get a discharge like many others. He was discouraged after Stones River but is in good spirits again. The fort "is going to be the greatest in the United States when it is done."

GLC02739.040

12 March 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

They have marching orders but he hopes they will stay. There are so many dead Confederates in the river that "our men crossed on them dry shod."

GLC02739.041

15-16 March 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

Their orders to leave were countermanded. The graves on the battlefield sadden him to think of all the brave men lost on behalf of their country. The mail was robbed and this letter was taken but he found it floating in the river the next morning.

GLC02739.042

21 March 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

"The rebbels is failing in evry sense of the word." The Confederates attacked their pickets but his regiment held them off and will "slay them by the thousands if they try to take this place."

GLC02739.043

25 March 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

He is glad she received the 30 dollars he sent. He is sorry for her hardships and "would do anything for you if I could."

GLC02739.044

4 April 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

He was detailed and had to leave the 79th to work a twelve pound brass cannon in the 20th Ohio Battery. He does not feel in any more danger as "I can dodge a shell or canon ball some times but a musket ball I can not." The battery consists of two brass cannon and four rifle cannon. With note to Phebe Jane Walker on verso re: ballad composed in honor of Joseph Walker.

GLC02739.045

12 April 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

He cannot pray at night in the 20th Ohio and must rely on secret prayer. All the prisoners "that we get say that the rebel armey is both starveing and getting naked for the want of clothes."

GLC02739.046

30 April 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

The men and officers of the 20th are all "persecutors of religion" but he will persist in his prayers. They expect a battle soon, "one of thee hardest battles ever fought in America."

GLC02739.047

9 May 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

"If general hooker is successful at [Fredericksburg] I think that will end the war." They get good news from the armies of the Mississippi and the Rappahannock every day. He wants a likeness of her and the children. He closes discouraged, having read that General Hooker was defeated.

GLC02739.048

13 May 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

The men of the 20th are by "far mutch the hardest men that I have ever bin with" but they treat him like a gentleman. They no longer expect a fight and he has no doubt "but that our forces have gained a complete victory at fredricksberg."

GLC02739.049

30 May 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

"I feel as mutch assured that I will git home alive as mutch as I feel assured that this war will end in the distruction of the southern confederacy." He believes that they will soon have Vicksburg and hopes to move to Fort Donelson soon.

GLC02739.050

31 May 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

He thinks the war may end soon but wouldn't be surprised if it lasted a year or two more. Their latest news from Grant is favorable. He will rejoin Company F of the 79th.

GLC02739.051

3 June 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

They drove 40,000 Confederates towards Chattanooga and several corps are advancing behind them. Some Confederates say "they want to quit fighting that they have bin deceived long enough by the leaders of the south." He fears the letter will not arrive as General Rosecrans has stopped the mail "so that the rebel [guerillas] can not capture any thing and find out his movements."

GLC02739.052

7 June 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

He has terrible pain in his head and had a tooth removed. He is still with the battery but will be with the regiment soon. "A man cannot git a discharge here until he is four days dead if he wanted it ever so bad."

GLC02739.053

11 June 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

He expects the Union to take Vicksburg soon. He must sneak out to prayer meetings in town every night and could be punished if caught.

GLC02739.054

12 June 1863

Jones, Joseph, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nancy E. Jones

He is still with the battery. Mr. Shorter will hand deliver the letter and tell her more in person.

GLC02739.055