Description:

Good content war-date A.L.S., 4pp. 8vo., Baltimore, Aug. 22, 1862, from Eldridge Franklin of the 5th Michigan Volunteer Infantry, Company "C", to his father. Franklin, recovering from wounds received during the Battle of Seven Pines on May 31, describes his life while recovering and offers some observations on the direction of the war and the attitude of his fellow Northerners. In part: "... Your letters are very interesting. I am pleased to see the people of Gratiot [County] so patriotic, and so many of them enlisting. I hope there will be no drafting to fill up the quota. I had rather they would be all volunteers, they are so much better. Still there are some in North Star that I would like to see forced to do something for their country for they never will unless they are forced. You probably know who I allude to. I believe it to be the duty of every healthy young man to enlist. It seems that in North Star they have nearly all done so. Those who have not done so will see the time they will regret it. Our country calls, why do some of the young single men who have always pretended to love their country not start immediately at the summons... Towards such men my feelings are more bitter that towards the rebels in arms..." Franklin goes on to share his thoughts on Gen. George McClellan's unsuccessful Peninsula Campaign, during which he received his wounds: "...Yesterday 4 regts. went through. One went through in the night & another this morning. We need them that is certain the rebellion is stronger now than one year ago. The campaign up the peninsula has proven a failure. The 'Grand Army of the Potomac' is no longer 'Grand'. The bloody battles of Williamsburg & Fair Oaks in which our troops were victorious has done us no good. I am of the opinion that had McClellan been not so slow but pushed on against the enemy after the battle of Williamsburg he would have taken Richmond. Can this great loss of life come from McClellan's inactivity. I do not know but there has been something wrong..." He signs at the conclusion in black ink. Also present are Franklin's two previous letters to his parents, respectively 6pp. and 2pp. 8vo., Baltimore, Aug. 16 and 17, 1862, offering more details of his time in Baltimore, Army policies toward furlough and pay, etc. All show original mailing folds and minor soiling, with a transmittal envelope for the latter two letters present. Very good.

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July 31, 2019 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

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