Civil War
Brandy Station, VA, January 12, 1864
1864 Civil War Letter from Union Sharpshooter, on US Grant Stationery
ALS

A war-dated letter from a soldier serving with the US Volunteers 2nd Sharpshooters, written on stationery celebrating General Ulysses S. Grant. Camp near Brandy Station, Virginia, dated January 12, 1864. The letter is written on a bifolium sheet that has a printed poem on the front entitled "Gen. Grant's Victory At Chattanooga" by George P. Hardwick (1683). With flattened mail folds. Toning and light soiling scattered throughout. 3pp of a bifolium, measuring 5" x 8". Very good overall.

From the context of the letter, we have determined that the author is likely Joseph C. Barton. Addressed to his wife and daughter, Barton shares news about the army and a Congressional law passed to increase soldiers' pay. He also asks his wife to do a favor for one of his campmates, which involves picking up and storing a trunk of his possessions.

In part (grammatical and spelling errors have been edited for readability):
"?we moved last Sunday 2 1/2 miles to built us a shanty to live in. We done got it most built. Congress they say has passed a law to raise the soldiers' pay from 13 to 17 per month US Pay. That is better some my wages is 26 dollars per month for clothing. My wages amount to about $30 dollars per month. Walter Bagley, Edward Dutton, Orval Eaton, Solomon Comstock all tent with me?It is music to hear some 25 hundred men chopping & making tents. We moved on account of wood for the army must have wood?when I come home I would rather take a farm or buy one that cleared up?you will have to pay taxes?to buy a farm that cleared if I live to come home."

According to Civil War records, Joseph C. Barton was sadly wounded five months later at Totopotomoy Creek, Virginia. He passed away three months later after complications from his injuries on August 26, 1864.

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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5" x 8"