Raynors HCA 2017-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/7/2017
War-date Union surgeon's letter, 3pp. 4to., written, most likely in the hand of his wife, Annie, by Surgeon William L. Faxon, 32nd Mass. Vols., "Hd. Qrs. 32nd Mass. Vols.", March 18, 1864, addressed to Col. and BBG Francis J. Parker, in part: "…St. Patrick's day has come and gone…yesterday morning the field and staff of the 32nd [Mass. Vols.] including myself and wife, rode to the camp of the 9th Mass. The streets between the tents were gaily decorated with arches of evergreens, lattice work around the border of the paths, eagles, harps, star etc…soon from all directions fair women and brave men came upon noble horses…filled with pride and fire…ambulances filled with merry faced girls…Gen. Bartlett and staff, chaplains, civilians, soldiers up wretched horses…all gathered together…brighter eyes were shot..at handsome officers in their brilliant uniforms [with] graceful wifes…galloped across the field, whiskey, fights, mock parade…contributed to the sport…all ladies included had a nice supper in Maj. Burk's tent…arriving at camp at half past two in the morning. Matters are progressing slowly, no orders have…been issued for reviews…camp is full of ladies…Gen. Grant will come down Tuesday making his Hd. Qrs. at Culpeper…a general reorganization will be soon commenced…the five corps of the Army of the Potomac will be consolidated intone three. Everyone talks against the poor Fifth…the advance of the army is at Cedar Mountain. No signs of rebs there…the rebs are still in their winter quarters below the Rapidan. Their cavalry is again…on our flank…quite a large force has been concentrated…it was feared they would attack our camp…the men were under arms. Rebs did not come…we have…about thirty men on sick list…Charles Meade-Sergt., Co. A died at the 4th Mich [hospital] a week ago. Congestion of the liver…Lt. March has been offered a major's commission in a N. C. Colored regt. Capt. Fuller is trying to get it. Genls. Barnes & Griffin have been ordered to the army…many questions are asked about the action of the 1st Div. at Gettysburg. It is said they behaved shamefully. Barnes…made no report…Col. Gruiney's black horse was beaten again…Dr. Ryan…rode the winning horse belonging to Capt. Lamon…Gruiney commands the Brig…Mrs. Faxon refuses to go…W. L. Faxon…". Then his wife, Annie E. Faxon adds one full page of content, reading, in part: "…at division head quarters…was a grand ball given by General Bartlett and staff. Dr. and I declined going. I had no ball dress or thin boots and could not appear in woolen dress and calf skin boots. Three Maj. Generals were there. Gay decorations, music, elegant supper…dancing etc were kept up until a late hour…it is said at the ball Mrs. Sykes displayed that…[a] maj. general's pay is not sufficient to buy material enough to build a ball dress." Minor soiling, else VG
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