Autograph letter signed by Joseph Wight (1783–1869), Co. E, 5th Maine Infantry. Camp Franklin, Virginia, 1 January 1862. 4 pages, 8vo, on illustrated "View of Washington City" letterhead. 

The stationery presents a view not dissimilar from Wight's own, writing during his encampment in Virginia just six miles outside of Washington, D.C. He relates to his correspondent, Mary, that the Battle of Bull run has been the only action he has seen thus far, and he hopes for that to remain the case due to the horrific "bloodshed" he witnessed. He describes life at Camp Franklin and marvels at the favorable climate of Virginia in January, assuredly vastly different from winters in Maine.

Another marked difference between Virginia and Maine is "the question of slavery." Sharing some of his personal beliefs, Wight explains that he has "seen enough to disgust anybody of its evil effect, both with regard to society or wealth. A man may make money by slaves but his farm grows poor and children ignorant and degraded. But this was has nothing to do with slavery that I know of."

Joseph Wight was the sone of Jonathan (1783–1869)  and Mercy Hammon Wight (1788–1861) of Cumberland County, Maine. According to U.S. Federal Census returns from 1860, Joseph Wight  was enumerated in WIndham, Maine, working as a grocer and married to Elizabeth Irish of Sebago. Muster records indicate that Wight enlisted in June 1861 as a 2nd Lieutenant in Co. E, 5th Maine Infantry. Unfortunately, his hopes of avoiding more conflict were soundly dashed: the 5th Maine saw action at the battles of Gaines' Mill, 2nd Bull Run, Antietam, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. Wight was promoted to 1st Lieutenant of Co. A in 1863 and mustered out on July 27, 1864. 

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