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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918 to Bell Wharton

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.10.136 Author/Creator: Maitland, Joseph M., 1836-1918 Place Written: Memphis, Tennessee Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 7 October 1864 Pagination: 5 p. : envelope Height: 24.5 cm, Width: 19.5 cm Order a Copy

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 floor. Mentions General [William T.] Sherman and General [John B.] Hood's exchange of prisoners. Letter is four pages and is accompanied by a fragment and a wrapper filled with dried flowers. Envelope includes a three cent stamp.

Maitland, Joseph M., 1839-1918
Wharton, Bell, 1843-?
Sherman, William T. (William Tecumseh), 1820-1891
Hood, John Bell, 1831-1879

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