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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, James M. (1815-1864) to Joseph M. Maitland

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.10.103 Author/Creator: Maitland, James M. (1815-1864) Place Written: Kingston, Ohio Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 13 September 1863 Pagination: 2 p. ; 30.5 x 19 cm. Order a Copy

Informs his son, "We... have noticed by the papers that Rosencrans [sic] is pushing after the [Rebl] army and has possession of Chattanooga and that Burnside with his army has taken Cumberlan [sic] Gap with 2,000 Prisoners and 19 guns, and had also possession of Knoxville... I think now if Old Abe and his Cabinet would act with direction there are several States which would lay down their Arms and enter into the Union or in other words would signify their intention of submitting to the Constitution as it is, but I know from certain givings out of the Union Speakers in the State of Ohio that if any of the revolted states are ever admitted again they must be as Free States. if this policy is adopted it will delay the settlement of the question much longer... are you with Johnny Brough opposed to a cessation of hostilities and Settlement of the question before Slavery is entirely eradicated or are you in favor of receiving the revolted states back if they signify their intention of submitting to the requirements of the Constitution." Notes that Elize Chamberlain will leave for Michigan. Reports that the independent militia returned from Camp Miami, drank at a local establishment, and refused to pay, inciting a brawl. The melee turned political when the mob started to "knock down" anyone that expressed support of Clement Vallandigham. There is a small rip on page one causing minor text loss.

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.
Clement Vallandigham was a Peace Democratic, or Copperhead, who openly criticized Lincoln and the War, believing that war should not be used as a means to prevent the South's secession. Lincoln banished Vallandigham in May 1863, and shortly thereafter Vallandigham traveled to Canada, where he ran a campaign for Governor of Ohio. He lost the campaign and returned to the United States in 1864, violating the military's court order.
General Ambrose Burnside commanded the Department of the Ohio March- December 1863. General William Rosecrans lead the Army of the Cumberland in the 19-20 September 1863 Battle of Chickamauga, a Confederate victory.
John Brough was Governor of Ohio 1864-1865.

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864
Maitland, Joseph M., 1839-1918
Vallandigham, Clement Laird, 1820-1871
Rosecrans, William S. (William Starke)., 1819-1898
Burnside, Ambrose Everett, 1824-1881
Brough, John, 1811-1865
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865

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