2021-10 Raynors HCA Live
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/15/2021
Union soldier's letter, 5 1/2pp. 8vo., written by Sergeant Charles J. Baxter, Co. F, 27th New Jersey Vols., "Camp Seminary Fairfax, Co., Va., Sunday evening, Nov. 9, 1862," to his family, reading, in part: "-we marched five miles before being stationed. The regiment was distributed by companies on different points along the line. Our company was left on the premises of an old bachelor who during the war (unlike many others) has stuck to his home. It was snowing so hard our officers thought it proper to dispense with pickets - we had very strict orders not to touch anything of value, especially the hay. But as we were entirely obscured from sight in our little tent - we proceeded to pull hay at once - we worked like heroes - it is no easy matter to make a hole in the side of an old stack - went to bed (in our little pig nest) - we found the snow Saturday morning all of five inches deep & the air keen enough to correspond - this portion of the United States is misnamed when it is called the sunny South - Saturday was my birthday - I went to an old quaker's & took dinner - they sold me a first rate dinner & treated me as politely as though I were a visitor - this class of people can live anywhere without fear of molestation. It seems that because of their averseness to strife of any kind special favors are shown them. His is the only farm I have seen in Virginia that has any fence left on it. All others are as destitute as when in the possession of the primeval tribes. This family of Quakers have lived in Connecticut & New York City - & attribute their apparent intelligence - the old bachelor - is a slaveholder & my impression is a very geared individual too. This is the first time I have witnessed slavery & being in contrast with the institution does not serve to diminish the dislike & prejudice I have always entertained for it - this old fellow had twenty slaves at the breaking out of the Rebellion & has only half of them left. The wife & children of one of his merges was driven off by the Rebels. In a few days after they were taken he missed the negro who returned in six weeks with his whole family. I do not know as I could give you any description of the manner of living where there is slavery - the slaves are kept apart from the dwelling house in miserable huts, excepting two or three cooks. I saw two worn out slaves which were wretchedness exemplified. Although this family (or bachelor) is wealthy. He had no cooking convinces but old pots & other irons with which the slaves would manage to cook by heating them - there is nothing truer than the old proverb 'necessity is the mother of invention' [Tuesday morning] news came Sunday that McClellan was superseded - I think if he was atria patriot a sad blow has been given to the U. S. Army. Though i he is unpopular throughout the Northern states his whole army have unbounded confidence in him & speak of him in the highest terms - his men will be disheartened & have confidence in no other leader - direct to Co. F, 27th Regt. N. J. Vols, Washington - Chas. J. Baxter." Minor toning, else VG.
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