2022-07 Raynors HCA Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/15/2022
Former Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by now school master, Charles J. Baxter, formerly Orderly Sergeant ,Co. F, 27th New Jersey Vols., "School Room, North Vernon, [N. J.], July 8, 1864," to soldier buddy "dear friend Joe", reading, in part: "I received the letter you wrote me while at Lookout Mountain - but have not heard from you. Knowing a little about the soldier's life and of the inconveniences you often times labor under - I find it easy to account for the non appearance of letters - from the amount of fighting there has been in the Southwest during the Summer campaign I should judge you were seeing rather hard times. I am happy to learn that you have passed through all the firey ordeals so far. I hope the Johnny Rebs will continue to aim a little too high or a great deal to low - [so] you may not suffer from - the law of retaliation. I used to tell my comrades of the 27th [New Jersey] that I should like for the regt. to be engaged in a desperate battle and all the casualties to be on the side of the Rebels. Wasn't I a remarkably brave soldier? - it has been your good fortune to remain unharmed - your regt, has suffered severely. I saw a letter from Coz. Frank - which he stated its present strength. Although you have seen hard service in Tennessee - it would have been worse - if you had remained in the Army of the Potomac. several of my acquaintances have ben killed in the battle around Richmond. Among those was Captain Michael Mullery [7th New Jersey, KIA Petersburg, June 16, 1864] whose loss I felt severely. I was much attached to him, he being an old schoolmate and a young man of real merit. He was home on furlough three months ago & seemed very sad & impressed with the idea that he was making his last visit to his native place. Joe, I do not want you to think me Copperish. I have all advocated a vigorous prosecution of the war, but when my friends fall it leads me to reflect what it is costing & I hope that the end is not far in the future - I heard Mr. Lloyd preach Sunday - his patriotism is yet unshaken - he said- that Jeff Davis had commenced to build a tower without counting the cost - his preaching is calculated to solicit all the young men in his congregation in the service of Uncle Sam - they had made quite extensive preparations for celebrating the fourth in Branchville - they held two festivals, the disloyal party having one by themselves so that their enjoyment need not be marred by the presence of a single patriotic countenance. It is now near school time & I shall have to bring my letter to close - Chas. J. Baxter." Minor spotting, else VG
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