Our Collection

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 #: GLC03523.10.113 Author/Creator: Maitland, James M. (1815-1864) Place Written: Kingston, Ohio Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 15 November 1863 Pagination: 4 p. : envelope ; 20 x 25.5 cm. Order a Copy

Discusses a meeting that was held at their house concerning conscription, noting that he hoped to "stir up enough people to volunteer to prevent the draft...Our Township's apportionment is 25 if raised by volunteering but if raised by Draft 38 men. I have no idea that the men will be raised against the 5th of Jany and then there will be a great fluttering among those fighting abolitionists for fear of it striking them..." Remarks, "it has always appeared to me that it was a great injustice to the soldiers in the field not to have force to fill up the decimated Regiments." Notes the railroad, likely the Broad G. Rail, being built is progressing quite rapidly. There is a small note at the bottom which was written on 16 November. Includes a three cent stamp on the envelope.

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.

Maitland, James M., 1815-1864
Maitland, Joseph M., 1839-1918

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