Series 4: Other Letters to Eleanor Kelley

The correspondence of and on Joseph Aplin Martin (JAM) spans from 1847 to 1878 and documents JAM's participation in the American Civil War and the aftermath of his death while in combat. The majority of the letters are addressed to JAM's mother, Eleanor Kelley, letting her know that he was "still in the land of the living." The letters chart JAM's path as he moved with his regiment through Kentucky and Tennessee, passing through Louisville, Nashville, Murfreeborough, Chattanooga, and Knoxville. JAM never really mentions participating in any battles, though he frequently mentions happenings on picket duty, such as Confederate soldiers surrendering at the risk of being shot by their own troops. He also wrote about the dullness of camp life, complaining that if fellows from back home who didn't want to sign up would only come down they could see how easy it was.

The rest of the correspondence includes letters regarding the return of JAM's remains to Ohio, and letters to Eleanor Kelley after her son's death from her sister, brother-in-law, nephews, and nieces. A few letters date from before the war. A photograph purported to be JAM is also in the collection.