26 August 1862

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elhanan M. Mast

Communicates with his brother-in-law from Kingston, Champaign County. Mentions that he thinks he will receive the appointment of Major soon. Describes a visit to the doctor, detailing how the office was full of people trying to escape the draft.

GLC03523.10.044

31 August 1862

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Discusses the draft with his son, writing that "volunteering has about ceased I don't hear of any volunteers for the Odd Regiments." Short note at the bottom of the letter dated September 1, 1862 which gives updates on the family's health.

GLC03523.10.045

16 September 1862

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bell Wharton

Reports to Bell, possibly his friend or girlfriend, from Camp Chase that he wanted to come down for a visit, but his buggy has been broken. Asks that she direct future letters to, "Camp Chase, Co G. 95 Reg, O.V.I. Care Capt. Hannock."

GLC03523.10.046

3 October 1862

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter

Title: to Elhanan M. Mast [incomplete]

Writes to his brother-in-law giving him updates on different members of the community. Reports on the whereabouts of Joseph, his son's, military regiment. Describes a battle that Joseph wrote to him about, which involved General William Nelson, writing that "the Bullets flew like hail and one of them came so close that it skinned his nose." Letter is incomplete and unsigned.

GLC03523.10.047

9 October 1862

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elhanan M. Mast

Informs his brother-in-law that Joseph, his son, has been sick and is at home getting well. Mentions that "the boys feel a great reluctance in going to Camp Thomas to be drilled to be sent to fight the Indians. They think the U.S. Government has no control over them."

GLC03523.10.048

14 October 1862

Petty, John S., 1838-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [William] Grier [Maitland]

Letter addressed to his friend, "My Dear Grier." Talks about joining the army and now being "emphatically U.S. boys." Inquires about the state of Elhanan Mast's health. Mast might have been an uncle or a cousin. Written in pencil.

GLC03523.10.049

10 November 1862

Maitland, J.G., fl. 1837-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [James M.] Maitland

Discusses the recent elections with his cousin, writing "I gave my opinion when you said that I was not with the Democratick Party Democracy - a pure Government offered by the Servants of the People. Is there any such Party - if so I have not found it in a Search of Twenty years."

GLC03523.10.050

21 November 1862

Maitland, J.G., fl. 1837-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bell Maitland

Speculates to his friend, "I suppose as the 95th is one of the fighting Reg. it will go into the field in a few weeks at longest." Reports that there was "quite an exictement in camp tonight; owing to some difficulty in the first Parole Regt. They refused to stand guard & perform camp duty, & to night they collect together and burnt their Guard House." Asks that she direct her letters to "Camp Chase, Co. G. 95th Reg. O.V.I in care of Capt. Warmock."

GLC03523.10.051

30 November 1862

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Writes to his son that James Kenton, possibly a family friend, was killed recently while chopping wood. Location inferred from content.

GLC03523.10.052

26 September 1862

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Maria Damuth]

Thanks his family for a coat they have sent him and gives details about camp life. Talks about sharing a bed with other soldiers, food at camp and various forms of entertainment - "we hav fun all the time." Describes his colonel, Charles Gill, as a very good camp leader. Anticipates that the men will have a chance to leave camp once they are "mustered into service and I expect that to be tomorrow." [Damuth was right - the 29th Wisconsin Infantry was organized on 27 September 1862, the day after this letter was written.] Mentions that he has been re-elected for an unspecified office,…

GLC03523.14.01

7 November 1862

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Damuth

Writes to let his family know that he arrived safely in Helena, Arkansas, and that the army has crossed the Mississippi River. Gives detailed description of setting up camp, pitching tents and preparing for guard duty along the river. Damuth is in command of twenty-seven men on the look out for guerrilla Rebel soldiers. Tells a story about a Black mule driver who was forced to give up his team and wagon to Damuth's colonel. Mentions that there are "20000 more [men] across the river at Helena and more coming every day." There are few other troops from Wisconsin. Rumors have been…

GLC03523.14.02

9 November 1862

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Damuth

Encloses his letter of 7 November, which he thought lost, and gives an account of the boat ride across the Mississippi River mentioned in the earlier letter. Tells stories of being on guard duty along the river. The men are nervous and there are repeated scares throughout the night - one soldier shoots at a man who runs away, and two other soldiers accidentally shoot at an ox. Mentions a foraging expedition led by their colonel from which "20 mules 8 horses 2 greys on a buggi 2 loads of corn 4 Sesech prisoners and lots of traps" were brought into camp. Damuth also goes on a foraging…

GLC03523.14.03

4 December 1862

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Tells about being on picket duty beside the Mississippi River and his job as a sergeant, keeping watch over the line. Sergeants and officers of the guard "stand twenty four hours at a time in pleasant weather," conditions which prompt the camp orderly to try standing guard - only to find himself rained on. Tells his sister that she should stay at home instead of searching for work and "by your words and deeds make home as pleasant as you can." Also reminds her to "not speak a crass word to eather Pa or Ma." Damuth makes it clear that he has no regrets about enlisting to be a soldier, for…

GLC03523.14.04

18 December 1862

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Reports on the health of his regiment. A number of soldiers are in the hospital and three have died, but none from Damuth's company. Describes two men who have been labeled not fit for duty, "one shot his fingers off while drawing the charge from his gun…the other shot his thumb off." The colonel suspects the second man of wanting a discharge, since he has already been ill. Damuth mentions an older man suffering from rheumatism who hopes to get a discharge and opines, "I dot [sic] think the army is any place for such old men I have taken noticed that all the old men in the Regt are sick…

GLC03523.14.05

22 December 1862

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Mentions that he has not received many letters from his family but adds that most letters that come to camp are from soldiers' sweethearts and "some of the boys had rather write to the girls than to thear own folks but it is not so with me." Reports on the "great Expedition of Gen McClernand" to take Vicksburg. Troops have been passing Damuth's camp but his regiment is not joining them; instead, they are making plans to cross the Mississippi and set up winter quarters. Praises Colonel Gill for his attentiveness towards his men and tells a few stories about the things the soldiers have been…

GLC03523.14.06

25 December 1862

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Damuth

Writes to his family on Christmas evening. Letter is a lengthy description of the events of the past few days. Damuth's camp has crossed the river at Helena after burning their old camping ground. Describes the lengthy process of crossing the river with mules, wagons and all of the regiment's equipment. The men are divided into squads of twelve. All the men must throw away their excess belongings, so Damuth gives a black man one of his cotton shirts, "it was the last thing I had that ma made for me." The soldiers board a ship to head to their new camp and are fired at by Rebel soldiers…

GLC03523.14.07

8 January 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Gives an account of his health. Despite recent illness, Damuth weighs 144 lbs, "more than I ever weighed in my life." He is in charge of rations for the company and encloses a slip of paper with a list of five days rations. The camp has a black servant who cooks for the men and washes their clothing. Discusses more camp health issues and assures his sister that although she might think "the Hospital is a dredful [sic] thing…it is not so here." Colonel Gill is under arrest after an incident in town. Six buildings, including a hotel and a store room of cotton, were set on fire and the…

GLC03523.14.08

January 20, 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Damuth's company is moving to Helena, Arkansas aboard a Union steamer called the Moderator. The 29th Wisconsin meets up with the 28th, and Damuth sends news of friends. Sitting on deck, he sees over thirty steam boats and two ironclads sailing for war. In St. Charles, the men find the remains of trenches and Damuth reflects that he and all the rest of his regiment probably would have been killed if the Rebels had not deserted the camp. Near Devil's Bluff, Arkansas, there is a brief fight with some fleeing Rebels, who have dragged their cannons to the railroad tracks in an escape attempt…

GLC03523.14.09

January 22, 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Camped about 25 miles below Helena, Arkansas. Writes that St. Charles has been set on fire. Has arrived in Helena and repeats the prediction that his regiment will head towards Vicksburg.

GLC03523.14.10

January 30, 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Receives a package, containing socks and a photograph, from Maria. Describes the effectiveness of an officer and friend who is well-liked for his attentiveness towards his men, especially sick soldiers. Mentions that Colonel Gill has promised all the soldiers they will be home by Christmas. Writes that "the South is most ruined now and will be intirely [sic] if this goes on an other year." Thinks that the Southerners are eager for the war to end. Writes that Grant has gone to Vicksburg and predicts that they will not have to go after all, for which he is grateful - "I am not so ambitious…

GLC03523.14.11

6 February 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Worried that his sister is sick with diphtheria. Many of the men in camp are sick, and the first man in Damuth's company has died. Damuth's friend Jesse has been vaccinated for small pox and complains of feeling unwell. Comments on a black servant who does the cooking - "a good fellow but is an exception to his race." Complains about division in the North between Republicans and pacifist Democrats.

GLC03523.14.12

18 February 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Damuth and another soldier have been caring for Jesse, who is ill. Many of the men in the regiment are in the hospital. Many soldiers are eager to get discharges and complain about their lack of importance in the war. Discusses hierarchy of officers.

GLC03523.14.13

3 March 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria and John Damuth

Three reports of Jesse Smith's death of typhoid fever and measles, all written out by Damuth. One is for the town newspaper, the other two for Damuth's siblings.

GLC03523.14.14

9 March 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes that the regiment is still in Helena, although General Benjamin Prentiss has encouraged the men to be ready to march at any time. The Lieutenant Colonel of the 29th, whom Damuth accuses of thinking "more of the Rebels than he did of his own men," has left and Damuth writes that morale among the soldiers has increased dramatically. Tells an anecdote about Colonel Gill. Describes a trip to visit Jesse's grave in an old Southern graveyard and writes that it "will likely be the last time I shall ever visit his last resting place."

GLC03523.14.15

17 March 1863

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Damuth

Writes to his brother with little war news. Asks John if he is a member of the Democratic Club and warns him that "I would shoot my own brother as soon as I would a snake if I should see him in the ranks of such a Good forsaken set of trators." Says that any Democrat who speaks or writes to him will be purposefully trying to insult him. Takes pride in enlisting and opines, "thear can be but two parties engaged in it [the war] Patriots & Trators." More of the men are dying of typhoid fever.

GLC03523.14.16