Confederate officer waxes glumly melancholy.

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2004

Writing from Camden, Arkansas November 14, 1863 to his wife Captain J. M. Weidemeyer of the 6'th Missouri says "It seems to me I have [never] felt more melancholy…then I ever did before…am well but felt very sad ever since I left home. There is nothing in this life that affects me so much as to be separated from you…I SO MUCH WISH THAT THE WAR WAS OVER and I might spend the rest of my life in your sweet society with my little ones around us. [Did] not know how much I love you 'til deprived of your company…the hardest thing I ever tried to do. To cut loose from all the loved ones and go out in the world and the Army among the rough and careless and insensible…am not fitted [to be] a soldier…home and loved ones too dear…to ever be what it requires to be a good soldier. …Proud that I have conducted myself so that all who know me…in the Army, speak well of me…how cheering it is to meet these friends among the trials of this kind of life…I have borne reverses and loss of everything…with as much fortitude as most men do…" Asks her to write and share her own trials with him and to send his book about "tactics" as they are scarce and cannot be bought. Mentions various articles of clothing she made for him: "…indeed, I cannot look at a single garment that I see your work. My uniform coat and pants are all you did not make [but] have many stitches that you did put in them." Instructs her to send replies to Col. Lawther's regiment at Camden; adds postscript instructing her to tell father to get him a sword belt learn if any chance to buy a saber and pistol "…or anything of that kind." Single sheet (both sides), penned in extremely tiny, neat hand with everything crammed in but all easily read and full signature. Accompanied, for ease in reading, with a typescript and photostat of his bio sketch of war service. Light aging; Exc. +.

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