The papers of Joseph J. Tuttle consist of 41 letters, 15 photocopies of military documents, 37 documents, 36 tax documents and receipts, 34 items of ephemera, 8 newspaper clippings, 7 photographs, 1 Civil War military pin, and 2 miscellaneous items. These items fall collectively between the dates of October 13, 1831 and April 3, 1963, however the bulk of them fall between November 16, 1854 and August 12, 1918.
The correspondence consists of 35 letters written during the Civil War (most of which are letters from Joseph Tuttle to his sister), and 6 miscellaneous letters. Tuttle writes about army life and his company's participation in battles and skirmishes. In a letter dated Aug. 30, 1863, he describes, in some detail, the execution of 5 deserters from the Union army, and in a letter of Feb. 27, 1864, he mentions the large number of deserters from Lee's army.
The photocopies of military documents all pertain exclusively to Joseph Tuttle, including his muster in/out forms, and documents pertaining to his illness. The 37 documents include 25 land deeds/indentures in Oakland County, Michigan, 5 documents pertaining to the purchase of land in St. Cloud, Florida, 2 Hartford Fire Insurance papers, 1 death record, and 4 other miscellaneous documents. The tax documents are all property tax forms and receipts, in addition to a few receipts for the sale of goods.
The ephemera consists of invitations, birthday and Christmas cards, and calling cards. Two of the newspaper clippings relate to the Michigan Cavalry. Included in the family photographs are at least 2 photos of Joseph Tuttle. The Civil War pin is marked "Grand Army of the Republic 1861 Veteran 1866," and a ribbon commemorates the Nineteenth reunion of the 5th Michigan Association.
Tuttle, Joseph J., 1838-1918
Rank: Corporal (October 1863)
Regiment: 5th Regiment, Michigan Cavalry, Co. H (1862-1865)
Service: 1862 August 16-1865 July 5
Joseph Jesse Tuttle was born July 26, 1838 to Jesse Tuttle of (Pennsylvania) and Martha Ross. He was born in Walled Lake (Commerce Township), Michigan, and enrolled in the Union Army on August 16, 1862. He was mustered into service to company H, 5th regiment, Michigan Cavalry on August 30, 1862 and was promoted to Corporal in October 1863. The 5th regiment, Michigan Cavalry was a part of Custer's Brigade and fought in the Battle of Antietam (1862), the Battle of Gettysburg (1863), the Battle of the Wilderness (1864), and the Battle of Trevilian Station (1864). On June 11, 1864, he was taken prisoner at Trevilian Station, Virginia, and was confined in Andersonville, Georgia. He was exchanged on November 17, 1864, at Savannah, Georgia. Around the time of the exchange, he became ill and was admitted to St. John's College Hospital. After he partially regained his health, he was moved to St. Mary's Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, where he remained until June 13, 1865, when he was transfered to Harpers U.S. General Hospital also in Detroit, Michigan. He received an honorable discharge from the army on July 5, 1865 and resumed his previous occupation as a farmer. On February 18, 1869 he was married to Sarah Jane Gould. His children's names were May, George, and Blanche Tuttle. Sarah (Gould) Tuttle died on June 8, 1887. Joseph Tuttle was married again on August 21, 1893 to Kittie E. Hulett, who passed away May 18, 1907. Joseph Jesse Tuttle died on August 12, 1918.
