Auction details
7:00 AM PT - Jun 18th, 2008
|
A good war-date grouping of letters related to the death and funeral of Pvt. Isaac W. Baker, Co. D, 23rd Ohio Volunteers who was killed in action during the battle of South Mountain on Sept. 14, 1862 during the Antietam campaign. First is an 8pp. 8vo., letter written in ink by Baker's brother-in-law George E. Black, Huntington, Oh., Oct. 8, 1862 concerning Isaac's well attended funeral and of settling his pay and bounty, reading, in part: "Sunday the 5th was a beautiful day at…6 o'clock P. M. the people of all the churches and a great many that seldom…are seen at church convened at the Cong'l. Church to attend the funeral of our beloved Isaac. After the singing of an appropriate hymn…Mr. Clark took his text…and preached one of his best productions prepared expressly for the occasion. I furnished him with many extracts from Isaac's letters which he used to good advantage. At the close of the sermon a large choir arose and sang the hymn 'Enon'…as follows. 'Go to thy grave in all thy glorious prime…there is not room on this sheet to write the hymn in verse…the church would not hold the people that assembled. James & E., Ralph & M., Uncle A's family , Mary & myself were the mourners…I have received some verses composed by one of Isaac's mates…Capt. Lovejoy says that Isaac was buried on Monday the 15th and a headboard put up at his grave with his name, company & regiment on it…Capt. Lovejoy has sent the papers to Washington that are necessary for you to draw pay and the bounty…the draft came of in Ohio Oct. 1st. Huntington had her full quota so none were drafted from here. Wellington had 19 drafted…[No. 2]…as to Isaac's affairs. When he enlisted he wished me to receive his wages and use them to settle up his affairs…which I did…I have ministered his money in sheep and steers. The account is as follows…now this money belongs to you…no coffin enclosed his mangled remains. No shroud save his uniform coat. But his name is entwined in the laurels of fame…now write me a long letter [&] tell me how you want Isaac's matters fixed…PLUS; a 4pp. 8vo., letter written in ink by Isaac's brother, Huntington, [Oh.], Feb. 1, 1863 concerning his brother's bravery, reading, in part: "I delayed writing to you on account of seeing Capt. Lovejoy. He came home on furlough…Capt. Lovejoy said about Isaac. He speaks very hily of Isaac. He was a brave soldier. He was most too daring…that was the greatest fault with him. He was elated with the idea of going into battle that he did not think of danger. He was anxious to be doing something for his country. And he did. He died for his country. We ought not wish him back because he is happy but Oh I can't help to murmur. The loss of such a good brother is so much…the boys of the 23rd are coming home on furlough…when I see the boys…all but Isaac brings such ugly wicked thoughts in my mind and some of the boys get wounded and come home I would say it could not have been Isaac. This is wrong and I try to banish such thoughts…I have Isaac's likeness…I am going to have a large photograph taken and put in a frame…". Also included are two 1860 letters with the original transmittal covers written to Isaac by his friend Newell Burdick of Massachusetts. Overall very good.
ImagesClick on thumbnails to see larger images: 
View Raynors' Historical Collectible Auctions next auction.Similar lots up for auction |
5371290
