Description:

Extraordinary content A.L.S., 7pp. 8vo., Fairfax Court House, Dec. 26th, 1862, from Union soldier J.M. Drake to his father. In this lengthy missive, written while recovering in a "reserve hospital", Drake airs the numerous grievances felt by himself and his comrades towards the prosecution of the war thus far, in small part: "... Our men have suffered much in Hospitals for want of care... and quality of food... All the delicacies and luxuries sent from the North to the poor soldier - never find him. The doctors and managers consume them all. The soldier is of no more account than a dog. Money and fame are all that our Superior officers are in pursuit of... All the corruptions that ever existed in the Democratic Party from Jefferson's time to 1860 were not equal to the thieving, stealing transactions carried on in any one month of Lincoln's administration. Lincoln is honest enough - but he is simply a tool in the hands of his pretended friends..." Drake goes on to lament the replacement of Gen. George McClellan with Ambrose Burnside at the head of the Army of the Potomac, and complains bitterly about the "disasters" that continually befall the Army. He continues: "...We have, and do now, underestimate the strength and resources of the South. We are met by them at every point, and defeated in our plans. Not less than 200,000 men of the North and West have gone under the 'Sacred Soil' of old Va. and what have we gained by this awful sacrifice of life - Just nothing at all. And again we soldiers do not feel the desire to continue the war that they did 6 months ago. They enlisted to fight for the Constitution and the Union - not for Abolition and Niggers - nor do they receive their pay as they ought to..." Drake goes on to despair over the lack of pay and basic supplies, and shares his confidence that "... we never can conquer the South by force of arms - and that this war - like all others - must and will be settled by compromise..." He closes by wondering if a friend or relative named "Horace' was present at the recently-concluded Battle of Fredericksburg, the site of another disastrous Union defeat, and signs at the conclusion. Shows original mailing folds and a few pencil notations, else very good.

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February 18, 2019 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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