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 Sergeant Charles J. Baxter, Co. F, 27th New Jersey Vols., "Camp near Fairfax Seminary Sunday morning, Nov. 2, 1862," to his family, reading, in part: "-we were out on the parade ground, in line, ready for division drill when a messaged came in camp, held a short interview with Col. Mindil & galloped off - we were very unceremoniously dismissed from drill & in - two hours had everything packed for a march - because of the tardiness of the bag wagons we did not leave until 3 P. M. - marched six miles - the march was hard. I stood it well - one of my teeth ached the live long night & is still aching while I write - we encamped on ground that was occupied - by a Massachusetts Regt. They were routed out of their beds - & marched to the front support Sigel who it is said had nearly met with a repulse, having lost a train of baggage, wagons & four hundred men prisoners. The Mass. Regt. was so hurried off that it left some articles of value. We found a good many stragglers here - we came picking up all we could find. One remarked - 'you should have hurried up & you (meaning the Regt.) might have found something worth while. Capt. found an excellent Minnie rifle. Fairfax Seminary (now a hospital) is forty or fifty rods from here. It is a splendid building much ahead of a great many of the same kind in the North & accommodates 1200 sick & wounded. The hospital burying ground is close by the side of our camp. It is dotted over with white slabs which mark the resting place of the brave. I have just been out & attended the burial of four poor fellows, martyrs to their Country's cause. Each coffin was wrapped in the Stars & Stripes & carried by four men on a hand carriage, proceeded by the muffled drum, chaplain & a squad of men who fired the salute. The coffins were followed by two or three officers & a number of soldiers who went not as mourners, but out of curiosity. The bodies were deposited in their respective graves, prayers offered by the chaplain - & three salutes fired from the foot of each. Thus ended the soldier's funeral. Our company has gone out today on picket duty some five or six miles from here - [Sunday evening] - finds me not seated in the midst of a crowd of merry boys - but all alone - I am half inclined to feel lonesome. A circle of knapsacks lay around the tent, each of which serves to drive away melancholy by reminding me of its owner - it would afford me some pleasure to attend church - Chas. J. Baxter." Negligible spotting, else VG.
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