Description:

Civil War
Fort Ward [Alexandria, VA], March 13, 1864
Union Solider Jokes About Calling on Lincoln, the "Rail Splitter", & Drinking With Seward and Chase
ALS

An autograph letter signed from Union solider George R. Baldwin of Company C, 1st Connecticut Heavy Infantry. 4pp of a bifolium, measuring 5" x 8", Fort Ward [Alexandria, VA], March 13, 1864. Writing home to a friend, Baldwin discusses the possibility of a promotion were he to reenlist after the war, but remains unsure. In an interesting postscript on verso, he sarcastically boasts of his expectations to call on President Lincoln, while referring to William Seward and Salmon Chase as his "old chums". Exhibits light age toning and handling marks throughout, with negligible creasing. Else, near fine.

In part:

"I expect to be in Mansfield [Connecticut] in about two months and it may be sooner as there is talk of sending those who have not reenlisted home the last of this month… There are only about 400 of our regiment coming home in May and they are making desperate efforts to get all they can to reenlist. I have been offered the Q. M. Sergts berth if I will reenlist or a Lieuts commission without reenlisting if I will stay three years more but I can't see it. Still I presume it would be the best thing I could do… but I am bound to be a citizen again if only for 2 days. Perhaps if I got sick of it I could get a corporals berth in the state militia or chaplain… One thing is certain if I can't get a living without working very hard I shall not get much of a living for I have got to [sic] lazy to write a letter or to do anything."

He jokingly continues on verso, stating:
"I am going to Washington next Thursday to stay a few days on business for the Company and expect to call on the 'Rail Splitter' and drink a few gin cocktails with Seward, Chase and the rest of my old chums."

George R. Baldwin first enlisted in 1862 with the rank of private, likely near Hartford, Connecticut. The regiment soon moved outside of Washington, where they saw duty at several of its defense installations, including Fort Richardson and Fort Ward. Under the Army of the Potomac, certain batteries would later be present at the Battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. By the spring of 1864, the regiment was again stationed in the defenses of Washington, near Alexandria, evidently facing challenges of reenlistment. They were later mustered out on September 25, 1865.

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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  • Dimensions: 5" x 8"
  • Medium: ALS

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