2021-10 Raynors HCA Live
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/15/2021
Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by 1st Sergeant Charles J. Baxter, Co. F, 27th New Jersey Vols., "On Picket near the Rhappahannock, Thursday, Jan. 8, 1863," to his sister, reading, in part: "-it is very cold today & the sky & air has a frosty appearance - I did dreadfully hate to come out this morning - our Co. today turns out - but thirty eight men - I hardly think there would be anyone left when its tern of enlistment expires - from exposure another man died this morning - Coursen's funeral was peached last Sunday evening by moonlight. Our chaplain gave us a short but very impressive discourse - Coursen was buried a few rods of camp. Capt. Anderson telegraphed to his parents who I presume could come & get his body if they wished. Some of the boys go down to the river occasionally ostensibly for the purpose of getting water, but really to talk with the Rebels - our soldiers give them coffee for tobacco. The river here is quite narrow & they can exchange articles across it very easily. A soldier of a New York Regt. sent them across a newspaper - John Henry [Baxter] has a swelling on his right leg which makes him unable to leave the tent. The result of living without vegetables - no money passes here but the government greenbacks & no other kind should be sent to any of the soldiers. Sylvester Belcher says he wishes Pa to forbid everyone of cutting wood on his lot except what is cut for his wife - I remain your affect. Bro. Chas. J. Backster. [Dear Brother John, Friday Jan. 9th] - I was on picket. It was a cold & dreary day. We returned to camp this morning - two large balloons are now up in the air almost as high as I can see. One has sailed away across our camp ground. I wish you could be here to see them, but I would want you to be back home to sleep in your trundle bed at night. From your Brother Chas. J. Baxter." Negligible spotting and soiling at the folds, else VG.
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