Maitland, James M. (1815-1864) to Joseph M. Maitland
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.10.068 Author/Creator: Maitland, James M. (1815-1864) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 24 May 1863 Pagination: 2 p. ; 30 x 19.1 cm. Order a Copy
Shares with his son that his grandmother has died recently. Notes that he does not know whether or not Joseph participated in the 16 May 1863 battle "West of Jackson," (the Battle of Champion Hill, an engagement in the Vicksburg Campaign). Includes a short note at the bottom written the next day discussing the draft. States that previously, drafted men had been able to purchase exemption for $300. Notes that many men are outraged regarding Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton's intention to eliminate the exemption, requiring drafted men to either serve in the war or find a substitute. Likely written at Kingston, Ohio.
Joseph Maitland enlisted on 8 August 1862 as a private. He was mustered into "G" Co. OH 95th Infantry. He was mustered out 31 May 1865 at Memphis, Tennessee. Congress passed an Enrollment Act in March 1863 that controversially allowed for the payment of $300 for exemption from the draft. Wildly unpopular among lower social classes, this provision launched widespread criticism, catalyzing the New York City Draft riots in July 1863.
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