1861-1865

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Elhanan Mast]

Reports on many children dying of dysentery. Says the weather has been dry all summer an the corn crop will be short. Comments the political situation is unsettled, with much name-calling and disagreement about the war. Gives him an objective accounting of a viscous rumor circulating about a female neighbor. Urges him to come home and run as a Democratic representative in the fall. Letter is incomplete.

GLC03523.10.254

1861-1865

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Reports weather conditions are good for making molasses and sugar. Informs him of the activities of neighbors and friends. Letter is a fragment.

GLC03523.10.255

1861-1865

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Reports what he knows about the promotion that just occurred and why Elhanan did not get it. Asks him to keep the information private. Discusses the crops. Says he sold eleven acres of land. Comments that some neighbors "...are down on the war and think the South will gain their points."

GLC03523.10.257

1861-1865

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Respected Brother

Reports on various meetings that took place at his school. Requests his attendance at the "Teacher's Institute" taking place next month. Comments on letters recently received from Joseph. Ink on letter is very faded and difficult to read in sections.

GLC03523.10.242

12 August 1862

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elhenan M. Mast

Discusses with his brother-in-law the idea of a draft in Kingston. Describes a "war meeting" he recently attended, where a great number of men from their community decided to volunteer for the war. Reports that "I was in town this afternoon and I learned that there would be an effort made to raise two more Companies in the County to prevent a draft..." Also shares "Word came yesterday of quite a Battle being fought at Culpepper C. Hause Va. on Saturday between the forces under General [Nathaniel] Banks in [General John] Pope's Division and Jackson and that our forces kept the field." Notes…

GLC03523.10.026

9 August 1861

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elhanan M. Mast

Reports to his brother-in-law that he has heard of the defeat at Manassas Junction, which took place on 21-22 July 1861, professing that the version of the story that he heard was much exaggerated. Informs him that Captain Baldwin's company has returned. Discusses the fall Democratic political campaign and how it relates to the war, the Constitution, and Abraham Lincoln's "course on the Habeas Corpus."

GLC03523.10.033

28 August 1861

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elhanan M. Mast

Relays to his brother that Hugh Jewett has accepted the Democratic nomination. Remarks that "the opposition is making great Lamentation over the Nominations and are endeavoring to make Capital by saying that the Democrats are opposed to the war, when it is known that they were the foremost to enlist, and spend their money to sustain the Constitution..." Location listed as "Salem Mills;" possibly former West Salem Mills, Ohio.

GLC03523.10.034

8 September 1861

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elhanan M. Mast

Discusses "Harrison's" health, mentioning that he has had many "fits" lately. Reports that there was a meeting at the Court House that was comprised mostly of Republicans, and gives him a detailed list of who attended. Location listed as "Salem Mills" possibly former West Salem Mills, Ohio.

GLC03523.10.035

4 November 1861

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elhanan M. Mast

Writes to his brother-in-law, possibly in regards to the war, "we have been for several days in a state of anxiety in regard to your situation having learned that you were surrounded by that notorious scoundrel Floyd..." Gives updates on various family members.

GLC03523.10.038

3 July 1862

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter

Title: to Elhanan M. Mast

Provides his brother-in-law with details about the war, reporting that "our forces met with a terrible defeat at the Battle of [Port] Republic..." Mentions General George McClellan's move to make the James River the base of his operations. Discusses the draft, writing "the recent call was made for troops when the Rebel General Jackson chased Banks, the Gov of Ohio determined to raise reserve Regiments in the State for three years, and it is one of them that Ben is appointed." Letter incomplete and unsigned. Possibly by James M. Maitland.

GLC03523.10.042

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

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

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

5 December 1862

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Provides his son with update on life in Kingston, mentioning that there was an "Aid Society" meeting recently. Reports that [William] "Grier," Joseph's brother, has begun school.

GLC03523.10.053

22 December 1862

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Reports to his son that "I learned further through your chaplain that rigorous measures would be adopted to take those Boys back that had left and punish them. I repeat to you that we would like to see you but unless you can get a pass I think it would not be advisable to come..."

GLC03523.10.056

January 13, 1863

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elhanan M. Mast

Relates to his brother that he is very relieved to hear that he has not been killed, as he has received word that Colonel Hawkins was killed and General Horatio Van Cleve's Division "suffered terribly." Tells him that "I think your Commanding Officers should not hesitate a moment in accepting your resignation."

GLC03523.10.057

8 March 1863

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Reports to son about the death of a family friend, Ben Morgan. Writes that "I asked him of his hope of Heaven. He said it was strong, strong enough to bear him over the Jordon of waters." Instructs his son to make himself acquainted with his officers, as it will be helpful later. States, "I am in favor of calling out a sufficient force to end the War at once for we have been having too much of a [temporising] policy. I am in favor also as the War has run into the Negro as strongly drafting every Negro in the North and then let those Ultra abolitionists go with them as officers see what they…

GLC03523.10.061

26 July 1863

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Updates his son with news of Morgan's Raid: "The Morgan Raid has been the absorbing topic for the last two weeks and strong efforts have been made to capture him. Thus far about 3,000 of his men have been captured, and sent to different places for confinement: the news yesterday that he with about 1,000 of his men had made their escape 12 miles below Wheeling. The most of his men were captured on an Island called Buffington's in the Ohio River... among the officers captured was Basil Duke and two of Morgan's Brothers." Notes that he was mistaken in predicting that the draft in Ohio would…

GLC03523.10.085

28 June 1863

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Informs his son that his friend John S. Petty recently left Vicksburg, after being taken by Confederates, then was released and paroled by his commander. Asks whether Joseph will rejoice if his colonel resigns after Vicksburg. Continues writing 29 June 1863.

GLC03523.10.077

29 June 1863

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elhanan M. Mast

Informs his brother that he has heard from his son Joseph, who is on picket and fatigue duty near Vicksburg, Mississippi. Reports that John Petty, a family friend, is sick and is no longer on duty. Mentions that Petty was a Clerk under General John McClernand and fought in the Battle of Champion Hill. A short note enclosed with letter, written 30 June, states: "our advices from Penn yesterday are startling. it appears the Rebels have it pretty much their own way and are occupying Gettysburg and Carlisle and Little York. It is a burning shame the way the Army of the Potomac have managed things…

GLC03523.10.078

5 July 1863

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elhanan M. Mast

Comments on a 4 July celebration at Urbana, Ohio: "the Orator of the day was Hon. West of Belfontaine. I heard part of the Oration, when a shower of rain coming up dispersed the assemblage for awhile. he was amplifying on the negro and beginning to get into the merits of the sable race. I did not go back to hear the remainder reason why did not think it would pay." Notes that his son, Joseph, stationed near Vicksburg, recently moved to Black River. From the papers, learned that General Peter [Osterhaus] had been attacked by Confederate General Joseph Johnston's troops. Also read a report that…

GLC03523.10.079

17 July 1863

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: To Joseph M. Maitland

Tells his son that "my prayer is daily that you all may be prepared that if the Master calleth you may be received to that Land where there is no more death, no more bloodshed." Informs him that General George Meade was "not quite swift enough to Capture [General Robert E.] Lee and his Army after the Battle of Gettysburg. I think that if the Rebel Army of the Potomac could have been bagged with the taking of Vicksburg and Port Hudson there would seem to be some prospect of Conquering the Rebs. Our state was thrown into a great excitement by the entry of the Rebel Gen Morgan with about 5,000…

GLC03523.10.080

19 July 1863

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Reports that the draft will begin in Kingston the following week. Discusses Morgan's Raid, noting "At last accounts Morgan and his men were still pursuing his course without much interruption." Complains that [Lieutenant Colonel] Benjamin P. Runkle was appointed by the Ohio Governor, David Tod, to stop Morgan with a militia force of three or four thousand, but so far Runkle has failed. Writes, "I cannot understand it why some men are permitted to enjoy ease and emolument while others have to suffer and endure so much hardship." Mentions the "3 days fighting at Gettysburg." Continues on about…

GLC03523.10.082