Unusual & Graphic Extensive Homefront Union Archive of Letters, 35+ All War-Dated

A graphic and unusual Union home front correspondence during the Civil War. Comprising over 35 letters, with over 100 total pages, all war-dated letters written to Horace Dresser in Pennsylvania from friends and relatives residing in Lowell County, Maryland. Dating 1861 to 1865. Several of the letters, particularly those written by Dresser's friends, contain graphic language and gossip, and many letters from his family members are vehemently anti-war and full of anxiety. All together these letters provide a very human view of the Civil War period. Very good condition, with most of the original transmittal envelopes. With expected mail folds, light toning, and soiling. Some tears and loss to envelopes. Please refer to the images for further condition information.

Dresser's friends write, in part:
Nov. 10, 1861: "…the flower of Lowell is gone to the Army. There is about 25 recruits gone to the 12th Maine Reg. Do you get any of old Medford now days to check your drooping spirits?...I am in a great hurry today more business than a man on the town. They have a meeting to the School House tonight and maybe I will be converted. If I do I'll write for God's sake burn this and say nothing about it…Tell tom to bust his f-er [deletion ours]…"
April 27, 1862: ...I have not forgotten you although it may seem so to you by my not writing to you before but I have had something to take up my attention…Sunday is the only day this time a year that a fellow can get time to write, drink, or f-k [deletion ours]…if you could be here just long enough to drink one tumbler of Black strap with me I would give 47 dollars and god knows that I haint had so much for 40 years…"
July 13, 1862: "…Got home Thursday & went to John Walkers that night to the circle had a bully time…the boys and girls danced like sixby. They was all enquiring about old Hod [Horace Dresser]. I told them that you was right on your blue muscle and would not come back...John Bennis & Abby is just the same as splised. Some say they are married as for that I don’t know but if they are not I think they will have to be ere long or do worse…"
July 27, 1862: "…you wanted to know if I see sweet Ann Mariah in Boston I did not but when I got to Waterford she come and shook hands with me on the stage...I was with her last night a few moments say till about twelve o'clock, had a good time… I suppose you have a good time with Miss Elder. Bully for you… A great many people here are no better than dead skunks… Ren is farting around P.B. a little & screwing Suke Brown a good deal…"
April 12, 1863: "…Hod we are having pretty still times here now for we don’t get much news from the fighting quarters. Hod if they don't Draft before the snow goes off they won't get this boy unless they hunt me with buckshot and dogs, for I don't care much for the principle they are fighting for…"

From Dresser's relatives, the tone is perhaps less vulgar but no less anti-war and cynical. His sister writes:
N.d. "Sunday Afternoon": "…Does the War rage in Penn? If it does ever so much do not enlist on any account. Mother would be crazy!"
N.d. [Green stationery]: The War news last night was that the rebels had got into Penn, I hope that they will not reach you. If they attempt the thing you be meek so they won't. I think in the course of two or three weeks more the rebellion will be put down and the nigers will be freed...
February 14, 1863: "…Oh! Hod pen cannot describe how anxious we all are to see you at home once more…Uncle Daniel was down here yesterday he is smart but he and Aunt Maria are feeling very bad about Quimby, but I think that he is better off than the poor soldiers which are there, to suffer and endure the hardships, and for my part I do not expect that any of them will ever come home alive. About every stage night there is a soldier brought home dead. I saw Quimby after he was brought home. He looked quite natural, but he had turned dark and some spots of mold on his face, where the measles were..."
November 1, 1863: "…we are all well & hardy in general…R feels a little blue about the Draft it is too bad for him if he has to fo for he is illegally Drafter as I understand it but if you know they have things these days as they please & take a man if they say so. I suppose you know that the President has called for more men… I expect that they will knock the three hundred dollar act in the head & then if a man is drafter he will have to go or find a substitute & they will be scarce…"

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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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