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Lot 37
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Civil War Archive, 6 ALSs from CT, NY, NJ, & MA Soldiers, 1862-1865, Re: "Abe Lincoln," "Little Mac," Copperheads, & Election of 1864
Civil War Archive, 6 ALSs from CT, NY, NJ, & MA Soldiers, 1862-1865, Re: "Abe Lincoln," "Little Mac," Copperheads, & Election of 1864
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Description:

Civil War Archive, 6 ALSs from CT, NY, NJ, & MA Soldiers, 1862-1865, Re: "Abe Lincoln," "Little Mac," Copperheads, & Election of 1864

A group of six autograph letters signed by either active or former Civil War volunteers from Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, written to family and friends from October 1862 to January 1865. The Union soldier and officer letter writers include: Charles L. Taylor of the 16th Regiment Connecticut Infantry; Frederick P. Ramsey of the 40th Regiment New York Infantry; Charles J. Baxter, formerly of the 27th Regiment New Jersey Infantry; and Augustus Hatch of the 35th Regiment Massachusetts Infantry. The archive comprised of six letters (or 27pp in total), and two original transmittal envelopes (both stamped and postmarked), shows expected wear including paper folds, isolated foxing, and minor weathering. Else in near fine condition. Please refer to catalog photos for additional information about content and condition. The largest piece measures 7.875" x 9.75."

The letters explore two common themes: politics and military events. 16th U.S. President Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) and George B. McClellan (1826-1885), Lincoln's former General and Election of 1864 opponent, are frequently discussed; as is the current American political landscape polarized between Copperheads--or Southern sympathizers eager to end the war--and true Republicans. Major military engagements at Antietam, Atlanta, and Savannah are also highlighted in the letters.

The letters are arranged below in chronological order. Punctuation has been silently added to excerpts to improve clarity.

1. A 4pp autograph letter signed by Charles L. Taylor (1837-1909), enlisted as a sergeant in the 16th Regiment Connecticut Infantry in August 1862, signed by him as "Chas. L. Taylor" on the fourth page. Written at camp near Antietam, Maryland on October 3, 1862 on bifold, cross-ruled stationery. 5.5" x 8.5." Accompanied by a neatly opened envelope.

Excerpts:

"Well, as you know by this time, the 16th Regmt. was in the fight on last Wednesday [i.e. the Battle of Antietam, September 17, 1862] and you have received some account of our experience…We are now encamped some four miles from the battle field, near Antietam works, drilling day by day…Yesterday our division of Burnside's Army Corps was received by Abe Lincoln + Co. so I had a chance for the first time to see our worthy president and I believe Gen. McClellan which could not have been had I not enlisted! The president looks younger and better than I expected…"

2. An 8pp autograph letter signed by Frederick P. Ramsey, a sutler assigned to the 40th Regiment New York Infantry, signed by him as "Frederick P. Ramsey" on the eighth page. Written at camp near Brandy Station, Virginia on February 7, 1864 on bifold and separate sheets of blue-lined paper. Ramsey's niece made pencil and pen notations in the margins in 1930. 7.875" x 9.75." Comes with a complete typewritten transcript.

Excerpts:

"I passed several evenings quite pleasantly, there [in Washington, D.C.]. I went to the Theatre one evening and saw Festvali's (?) play 'Gamia.' There were gathered the largest audience I ever saw in a Theatre; it embraced the beauty, wealth, and notables of the city; President Lincoln and a portion of his cabinet were there, also his wife! They occupied a very conspicuous position; the President looks but little changed, since I saw him in Rochester on his way to Washington…"

3. A 4pp autograph letter signed by Charles J. Baxter (1842-1911), who had served a 9-month-long term of military service with the 27th Regiment New Jersey Infantry from September 1862 to July 1863, and was currently employed as a school teacher. Baxter signed the letter as "Chas J Baxter" on the fourth page. Written in North Vernon, New Jersey on September 16, 1864 on bifold blue-lined paper. 4.875" x 8."

Excerpts:

"I heard this afternoon that the draft was postponed until after election though I can hardly credit the report. If it should be deferred the Copperheads will attribute it to Mr. Lincoln's being a candidate for the Presidency. The Democracy [Democrats] seem to feel sure of making Little Mac [George B. McClellan] the next president. When that is done they - according to their own story - are going to display unexampled magnanimity by dealing tenderly with their Southern brethren…[Little] Mac will be compelled to regard the Presidential chair as the fox did the grapes [a reference to Aesop's "Fables" where a fox covets something out of reach]…"

4. A 3pp autograph letter signed by Augustus Hatch (1836-1923), then a Captain in the 35th Regiment Massachusetts Infantry, as "Augustus Hatch" on the third page. Written in East Boston, Massachusetts on November 3, 1864 on bifold blue-lined paper. 4.875" x 7.875." Accompanied by a neatly opened envelope. Comes with biographical information from the American Civil War Research database.

Excerpts:

"Yet rather than to see this effort to crush the rebellion abandoned (as per the Chicago platform) [the Democratic National Convention was held in Chicago in late August 1864] I would crawl out upon the battlefield and give up what may be left of this life in defence [sic] of Liberty…I did not intend to say a word about politics, but I have my head full of it all the time, as I have some Copperheads near me that need to be converted to the true faith…"

5. A 4pp autograph letter signed by Charles J. Baxter as "Chas J Baxter" on the fourth page. Written in North Vernon, New Jersey on November 23, 1864 on bifold blue-lined paper. 5" x 8."

Excerpts:

"Two things that you so much desired have come to pass viz; the reelection of Father Abraham + the enforcement of the draft….

Jack Rogers [almost certainly Andrew "Jack" Rogers, a New Jersey Copperhead] said at the convention at Deckertown; We (the Democracy) are going to elect George B. McClellan the 8th of Nov or die in the attempt. How true; true as the predictions of a prophet. Jack blundered into the truth then without thinking what he said. His party made a desperate, earnest struggle to attain power, displaying the energy of despair. But this was its death struggle + we may regard the Democratic Party - as we will yet the Rebellion - a thing of the past…"

6. A 4pp autograph letter signed by Charles J. Baxter as "Chas" on the fourth page. Written in North Vernon, New Jersey on January 15, 1865 on bifold blue-lined paper. 5" x 8."

Excerpts:

"I am obliged for the short history you gave of your long tramp through Ga. When Sher [William Tecumseh Sherman] left Atlanta there was a good deal of talk + speculation here in regard to his destination. We were kept in suspense some days but since it is an established fact that his desn. was Savannah + that S-h is ours…

Uncle Abraham has concluded that the brave lads in the field need some help + has so arranged affairs that shirking + avoiding the draft with old credits is played out…

One would suppose that there would be quite a cussing + commotion among the Copperheads yet quite the reverse is true. The[y] have concluded to become martyrs to an unjust, wicked + cruel despotism…"

Soldier/Officer Biographies, in order of letters:

Charles L. Taylor

Charles Taylor and the 16th Regiment Connecticut Infantry saw action at the Battles of Antietam and Fredericksburg. Many of Taylor's comrades were captured by Confederate forces in North Carolina, and languished in Andersonville Prison in 1864; Taylor escaped this fate by securing a well-timed transfer within the armed forces.

Frederick P. Ramsey

The 40th Regiment New York Infantry, nicknamed the "Mozart Regiment" because of one of its sponsors, participated in nearly every major military engagement of the Civil War, from the Battle of First Bull Run to the Battle of Cold Harbor. Ramsey served as a sutler, or provisioner, to the Union Army; such firsthand accounts from sutlers are unusual and therefore highly coveted by collectors.

Charles J. Baxter

Charles J. Baxter served for nine months in the 27th Regiment New Jersey Infantry, from September 1862 through July 1863, where he participated in the defense of Washington, D.C. Baxter's unit narrowly avoided the Battle of Fredericksburg, and was later assigned to Burnside's forces in Kentucky and Pennsylvania. After his discharge from the military, Baxter became a school teacher, and, remaining in the teaching profession for his entire career, he was eventually appointed the New Jersey State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Augustus Hatch

Augustus Hatch was twice wounded during his five years of Civil War service; the first time in December 1862, after the Battle of Fredericksburg; and the second time in late July 1864, following the Battle of Petersburg. (In his November 3, 1864 letter, Hatch refers to his continued use of crutches following his Petersburg war injuries.) Indeed, he would be discharged due to disability in mid-January 1865.

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This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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