The James M. Chatfield papers consist almost entirely of the letters that he wrote home to his wife, Julia, from 1862-1863. The majority of the letters describe happenings in camp, such as tending the horses and waiting to get paid. He writes often about sending money home, and gives Julia advice on saving money and “being economical.” Company D of the 2nd Michigan Cavalry did not see very much fighting during the time period that Chatfield wrote home, so there are not very many accounts of battles. Two exceptions are New Madrid (March-April 1862) and Perryville (October 8, 1862).
As early as July 1863 Chatfield mentioned that he was sick, though he assured his wife that it was nothing serious. By October he wrote his letters from a convalescent camp and a Thanksgiving letter was written from a hospital in Nashville. In it, he asked his wife to spend money wisely in case he got killed in battle or died in the hospital. He also closed the letter in an uncharacteristically sentimental way that suggests he may have known his health was deteriorating. Less than two weeks later he died.
A letter written to Chatfield's mother by an Ohio woman provides some interesting insight into the days right up to his death. Annie Kinnan, from Ohio, was visiting the hospital in Nashville and happened to see Chatfield. She ascertained, either from him or from hospital workers, that Chatfield had not informed his wife about the severity of his illness. So she took it upon herself to write to Chatfield's mother and plead with her to visit her son in Nashville and to try to get him moved to a hospital in Michigan. Ironically, Kinnan's letter is dated December 7, 1863, the day Chatfield died. Later, Kinnan wrote a letter of condolence to Chatfield's mother.
The remainder of the papers relate to Julia Chatfield's efforts to receive a war widow's pension. Included are affidavits and applications attesting to her identity as Chatfield's wife.
