2021-10 Raynors HCA Live
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/15/2021
Union soldier's letter, 2pp. 4to., written by Orderly Sergeant Charles J. Baxter, Co. F, 27th New Jersey Vols., "Camp below Uniontown, Penn., Tuesday June 23, 1863," to his family, reading, in part: "-at Cincinnati - we first learned of the invasion of Pennsylvania & of the danger that threatened Pittsburg, Harrisburg & other towns on the line of the Central Railroad - we took dinner at the Soldier's Home at which place Genl. Burnside gave us a farewell address. He complimented us very highly for our good conduct while under his command, also informed us of the state of affairs on the line of the Central Railroad - in case said railroad was invested by the enemy the Regt. volunteered to fight its way home - Monday morning found us in Columbus - we recd. orders to report at Wheeling, Va., this was contrary to the feeling of the regt., though it was impossible to refuse - we encamped at Wheeling Island Thursday night - - we again took the cars for Pittsburg - at Pittsburg we were ordered here for the protection of Uniontown which is about seventy miles off our direct route home & sixteen from the Virginia line - yesterday was an eventful day. the Regt. was so exasperated because of being taken off its direct route home that it refused to comply with any orders or do any duty. To pacify the mutineers the Col. took us where we would not be subject to the criticism of uninterested parties & gave an explanation of every occurrence since our start home - it proved of no avail. The majority of the men were so incensed that they would listen to nothing but insulted the Col. while he tried to talk to them as gentlemen. When he found that the Regt. was unmanageable [and] that it was no use to reason - he wept bitter tears. The Regt. he had thought to be so patriotic & so brave would not aid a sister state in repelling a common enemy because its time was out. As a last resource he had each company go to places separate from each other & find how many men would volunteer to remain with him in Penn. ten days. Of Co. F but six or seven agreed to stay & but 150 in the whole Regt agreed to remain for said term - I would [not] act the part of a coward - I volunteered to remain - Col. Mindil has now gone to Pittsburg to offer the protection which the 150 volunteers will be able to give & procure transportation for the remainder of the Regt. - Chas. & George Crissey have also agreed to stay - Chas. J. Baxter." Negligible spotting, else VG.
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