[WESTERN AMERICANA]. Manuscript archive of letters written by Civil War veteran Charles John Baxter (1842-1911), many with descriptions of western travel. 

Archive of more than 50 letters and documents spanning 1867-1979 (approx. 30 letters 1867-1873; approx. 14 letters 1890s; approx. 10 letters 1920s-1970s). Accompanied by a large array of ephemera spanning generations of Baxter descendants including newspaper clippings, memorials, family histories, stock certificates, marriage announcements, Hackensack Board of Education documents, and more. 

Letters dating from 1867-1873 written by Charles J. Baxter and Eveline "Eva" Couse (1846-1922) to Joseph P. Couse (1841-1900), with general content and some content related to post-war US political parties. Eva Couse writes from Woodbridge, NJ, on 17 October and 1 November 1868 and details her experiences at Republican meetings with speakers including "General Pierce of Georgia" (possibly 1868 Republican US congressional candidate William P. Pierce who was attacked during the September 1868 "Camilla Massacre" in Reconstruction Georgia), "Mr. Warwick from California," and "Lawyer Throcmorton" [sic] of New York City. The Republican meetings described include a procession through the town and music, and were not without tense and sometimes violent exchanges with the opposing political party. Miss Crouse notes that "the majority of voters here are Democratic and the majority of them are Irish." 

Letters from the 1890s written by Baxter to his wife Arabella "Belle" Dunn Baxter (ca 1854-1926) during what seems to be an extended trip primarily via rail through the American West as documented in his letters from 5 July 1899 through 23 July 1899. Baxter writes from Colorado, Wyoming, Oregon, Montana, and California. Descriptions include details of excursions to tourist destinations such as Pike's Peak and Yellowstone National Park, as well as of the scenery, wildlife, plant life, train cars, and more.

Charles John Baxter was born in Vernon, New Jersey. He enlisted as a sergeant for nine months service on September 5, 1862, and mustered into "F" Co. New Jersey 27th Volunteer Infantry. 
Following the war Baxter returned to North Vernon, New Jersey, and to his profession as a teacher. Baxter would continue as an educator for his entire life, rising to the position of New Jersey State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Other family names connected to the Baxters (sometimes "Backster") and represented in the 20th-century portions of the collection include the Feagles, Crisseys, Roys, and Hammonds.