22 April 1863

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [William Grier Maitland]

Reports on the condition of his regiment, camped near Young's Point. Relates that they will travel to Vicksburg, Mississippi 23 April 1863. States that on 21 April, his division attended a parade to welcome General [Lorenzo] Thomas, "here for the purpose of organizing a couple of negro Regts. for the service. the officers to be selected from Each Regt of our Division." States that his fellow soldier Dan Coleman attempted to gain captaincy of an African American company and failed. Referring to the selection of captains for African American soldiers, states "for my part if I could not…

GLC03523.10.063

1861-1865, 1866-1902

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Header Record

Title: Collection of Joseph M. Maitland, G company, 95th regiment, Ohio, infantry [Decimalized .001-.258]

Maitland (1839-1918) was a pro-Union Democrat. His correspondence discusses the war and politics. Maitland's collection includes commentary on the 1863 political campaign for Governor of Ohio, Morgan's Raid, religious matters (Baptists in Ohio), the Peninsula Campaign, Vicksburg, Gettysburg, Vallandigham, Nathan B. Forrest, black soldiers, assassination of Lincoln, and mustering out. Includes a Hymn Book, 3 military papers, 28 pre-war items (letters and documents) and 88 post-war or undated letters or documents.

GLC03523.10

February 16, 1865

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bell Wharton

Addresses letter "My own Dear Bell," and asks her why she hasn't written to him. Says he is expecting orders to go down the river any day with his Division. Informs Bell that the draft took place yesterday. Speculates that if the quota wasn't met at home, "...there was some shaking in the boots of some of the men there." Comments on news of a friend's new baby, adding that an officer he works with just had a baby. Mentions his satisfactory dinner of roast beef, mutton, pork, potatoes and sauerkraut. Informs her that he has changed boarding houses and his Captain is paying half his rent.…

GLC03523.10.161

February 17, 1863

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bell Wharton

Writes to "My Dear Bell" from Fort Pickering. Describes fort conditions, noting that is very different than Camp Chase. Tells her, "Oh how I wish I was only at home long enough to get a few meals and then the loss of Female Society to one who is a lover of the Fair sex is a great deal." Small holes in letter cause minor text loss.

GLC03523.10.059

10 March 1865

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bell Wharton

Letter addressed "My Dear Bell." Expresses deep pleasure at receiving her letters. Reports he will not apply for a furlough and hopes to be home in five months. Encourages her to gain his mother's affections; "Perhaps you can see the object of this, if you can't maybe you will some day." Says he has rheumatism in his shoulder. Complains "This thing of sleeping alone don't pay."

GLC03523.10.169

13 March 1865

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bell Wharton

Joseph writes to "Dear Darling Bell." Comments how fast her letter reached him, "...not three days on the road...." Proclaims his love for her and imagines her lips. Says he received three other letters from friends and relatives and relays their news to her. Reports the Mississippi River is very high and still rising, enabling the boats to travel quickly. Informs a man in his regiment died of typhoid after surviving the Battle at Nashville. Comments "I don't think it is an exhausting business for you to write two letters a week- and I don't think it would hurt you to write three."

GLC03523.10.171

24 March 1865

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bell Wharton

Joseph writes to Bell expressing his belief that she thinks it a task to write to him. Claims "...when surrounded with all kinds of the "Fair Sex" here, I remain true to one at home..." Reports he received a copy of the Urbana Union through the mail. Says the weather is clear and cool, but the streets are very dusty. Mentions there will be a "Ball" next week and asks her if "... there is any harm in dancing?"

GLC03523.10.173

28 March 1865

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bell Wharton

Joseph writes to Bell informing her he has been relieved of his clerkship and must report to his Regiment. States Union General Edward R. Canby sent the order to relieve all clerks from Memphis. Hopes to get a clerkship in Vicksburg or New Orleans. Says he doesn't know where she should send her letters.

GLC03523.10.174

3 November 1864

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bell Wharton

Writes from the court martial offices in Memphis. Says the boats from Cairo have not arrived in a week with mail. Expects to hear from her soon. Expects to remain as a court clerk through the winter. Remarks his health is good. Comments the weather is wet and disagreeable. Begs her to write often.

GLC03523.10.142

8 December 1864

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bell Wharton

"Headquarters District of Memphis..." is printed at the top of the letter. Reports on a conversation with a friend where he said, "I had a girl at home whom my hopes for happiness in the future were centered." States Union General Napoleon J.T. Dana is now in command of his department in Memphis. Mentions snowy weather. Letter continues the next morning.

GLC03523.10.148

20 December 1864

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bell Wharton

Reports Union General James C. Veatch issued the order dissolving all court-martial and military commissions within the district of western Tennessee, and he is temporarily unemployed. Says once the courts are reorganized in a few days, he will be retained as clerk. Comments the news looks good as Confederate General John B. Hood "...has been completely used up at Nashville." Complains of constant rain and slushy streets. Wishes he could be home for the holidays. Begs her to write more frequently.

GLC03523.10.149

23 December 1864

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bell Wharton

Complains about the lack of letters from home, "...I thought I was forgotten by them at home and you too." Says he doesn't like the tone of her recent letter, "...your speaking of the love you had for me you said it in such a light way, that there might be a question as to whether you were sincere or not." Comments he is sorry to hear that small pox is still going around. States he is still uncertain of his employment as a clerk, but doesn't think he could survive "Field Service."

GLC03523.10.150

25 December 1864

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bell Wharton

Wishes Bell "A Happy Christmas." Shares his sadness at being away from home and all the changes that have taken place in one year, especially the death of his father. Remarks he had turkey at the boarding house, "...but it didn't seem like eating Christmas dinner up north." Adds, "Since last night every one has been on a big drunk, of course I except myself, I only drank a quart or two of egg-nog." Reports his court has been reorganized and he is still on duty as a clerk. Closes letter with,"Remember me in your prayers Bell, for I have many temptations that you know not of."

GLC03523.10.151

18 April 1864

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bell Wharton

Writes to Bell from a camp near Memphis. Comments on a box of provisions he received, including cakes. Notes he sent a box by express with several pictures inside and asks her to take care of them. States he has not received any letters from her recently and hopes there is one today. Includes a three cent stamp on the envelope.

GLC03523.10.120

1 July 1864

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Bell Wharton

Maitland writes to Bell from camp outside La Grange. Complains of very dry, hot weather and dusty roads. Writes, "I dont think I ever suffered as much in my life with the heat as I have within the past week." Expresses concern over her lack of letters to him and asks if she has forgotten him. Mentions its been a year since the surrender of Vicksburg, Mississippi, but still no end to the war in sight. Writes "If General [Ulysses] Grant could only succeed in taking Richmond...." Reminds her his service will de done in little over a year and imagines what it will be like to come home. Reports…

GLC03523.10.127

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

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

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