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.

Wharton, Bell (b. 1843) to Joseph M. Maitland

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.10.168 Author/Creator: Wharton, Bell (b. 1843) Place Written: Kingston, Ohio Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 9 March 1865 Pagination: 4 p. : envelope ; 20.1 x 12.7 cm. Order a Copy

Letter addressed "My Dearest Joe." Expresses pleasure at receiving his letters. Complains news is scarce and it is difficult to write two letters a week with anything interesting to say. Reports she attended a "sing" at the Baptist Church. Informs a neighbor has typhoid fever. Complains of a sore throat and toothache. Asks, "Wasn't that disgusting about A. Johnson being drunk the day he was inaugurated?" (Possibly referring to President Andrew Johnson, who was in office 1865-1869 and was inaugurated 15 April 1865, after the date of this letter. May therefore be referring to his inauguration as Abraham Lincoln's Vice President, which occurred on 4 March 1865).

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, Joseph M., 1839-1918
Wharton, Bell, b. 1843
Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

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