2004-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2004
Writing to friend at home while fighting his way towards Atlanta. Beautifully penned 4 page letter entirely in the hand of Lieut. John A. Fox. Datelined at top "2'nd Mass. Inf'y / Kingston, Ga May 31, 1864." Opens letter: "…We arrived here yesterday…as guard to a wagon train of 117 wagon loads of wounded from our corps…had two day march of 20 miles…over a hot and dusty road, but the wounded kept wonderfully cheerful. Our regiment not engaged in last battle at Dallas. Henry Bond's death narrows my circle of intimate friends sadly. A man seldom finds a truer friend then he [mentions picture of himself and Bond together] when we both were home last. …Everything progresses well in this Dept…the fighting has not been so hard as in Virginia but the results are…greater. The Battle of Resacca has been our only real battle so far in which regiment was engaged. Our loss was 23 killed and wounded. We whipped our share of the rebels with great ease and did them damage. They don't laugh at Potomac troops here as they use to before the fighting began. …Would like to sniff the sea air…this summer, but I suppose this wicked and unholy war must be wiped out first. I have great confidence in the present management of the Army. If the people only look at things sensibly and supply money and men and give up all talk about 'destroying' the rebel force in one battle and look upon the taking of Richmond and Atlanta as only important steps in the great work and not as the end, we may, with the blessing of God, finish the hard fighting by next fall. If it would please the Lord to send an epidemic disease to destroy politicians only, it would forward matters greatly." Signed boldly "JOHN." ACCOMPANIED WITH a second, earlier letter by Lt. Fox to the same friend from "Boston, Jan. 7, 1862" and although that, too, signed only "John" he specifically mentions on last page his new commission as 2'nd Lieut. in 2'nd Regiment Mass. Volunteers and colonel's name, with return address in Frederick, Maryland where then stationed. 3 pages: "…I shall get my marching orders tomorrow…a week more will be allowed to complete my preparations…I am very much driven…" and discussion of his claim for back pay. Both letters exc. ACCOMPANIED WITH original boldly penned order on official stationery of State of Mass. / Headquarters, Boston Jan. 13, 1862 commissioning John A. Fox 2'nd Lieut. of 2'nd Regiment Mass. Volunteers and ordering him to report for duty (exc.)…PLUS another official "U.S. MUSTERING AND DISPURSING OFFICE" form issued July 27, 1865 to 1'st Lieut. John A. Fox, 2'nd Mass. Infantry upon his discharge from service with affidavit that he is "not indebted or accountable to the U.S. on account of pay, arms, accoutrements, ammo [etc.]…" (8 x 14) Exc. Plus photostat copy of reg't history. The outfit saw much action 1862-65 all in major battles Virginia plus Gettysburg and many others in Atlanta campaign.
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