This pair of letters consists of:

1)     The best Bull Run battle letter we have offered!  It was written by George E. French, Co. K, 5^th Maine Volunteers.

2)    A condolence letter written to Elisha O. Drake, Co. C, 20^th Maine Volunteers, who was a good friend of George French.  George lived

     in Auburn, Maine and Elisha in Livermore, Maine (close-by).  The condolence letter to Elisha was written by a friend of the family

     and contains some of the most beautiful content we have read concerning someone laying down their life for their country. 


Read the transcriptions (below the photos) of these two letters carefully.  They are an amazing pair!  The letter to Elisha has some fold separations and staining, but is all very readable and in nice dark ink.  George’s letter, regarding the Battle at Bull Run, is in good condition with some staining, having an overall fine appearance for display.   

 
#L39 – Price for the pair $995


Transcriptions:

                                                                        Alexandria July 23^rd, 1861

Dear Mother,

            Supposing that you have ere this heard of the

great battle that we have been engaged in and that you

might be anxious to know whether I am alive or not, I

take a very early opportunity to let you know that I am

alive, although nearly worn out.  I cannot give you

near good a idea of the battle as the papers so I will

not attempt it but I can tell you that we have had a

pretty hard time.  Sunday morning (the day that the

battle was fought) we started about 2 o’clock and

marched about 10 miles the last of which we marched

without stopping but twice and that not more than 5

minutes and considerable of the way we went on

double quick time which is nothing short of a run, and

we had on our blankets and 2 day provisions in our

haversacks, besides our canteen, cartridge box and

belt and you may judge that it was pretty heavy.  When

we got to the scene of the action and came to form to go

on to the field there were but little over one half of the

Regiment on hand the rest had fallen out of the way

from fatigue and what were there were so tired that they

were not worth much but we went in and had our share

of the fighting.  It was a hard sight to see the dead and

dying all around us but the sight of a dead or wounded

person on a battlefield does seem as it would in any

other place.  We expect to see such things and are

prepared for them.  We had to march over as a ridge

before we got to our post in the battle where we were

exposed to the fire of the enemies cannon and I can

tell you they made a merry whizing about our ears and

came very near us but did not hit any of us till we got

most there when one man was struck down with one

of them we had to go up a hill and through some woods

which we were going up they fired over our heads

altogether cutting up the trees at the tremendous rate. 

Owing to some mismanagement somewhere - one of the

regiments began to retreat and all hands joined in.

Mind we did not retreat without orders and they made

us march clear back to this place 27 miles without sleep

and with only about 3 hours rest, and when we got

about here we were so tired that we could hardly go.  I

lost everything that I had but my clothes that I have got

on and cartridge box and belt, my gun I was obligated

to leave and my blankets but I expect that I shall soon

get some more but it is rather hard going without them

now, our company is very badly tired out but only 7 of

them are missing and perhaps they are not all killed. 

We have been worked awful hard for 6 or 7 days and

are about used up.  It will take some time to recruit us

up and I think that we shall go to Washington and stop

a while.  I feel very thankful to the Lord that it is as well

with me as it is.  I feel that He loves me still and that I

love him.  Give my love to all who inquire and write

soon and you will oblige.

Your Son, George E. French

 

 

                                                                             Olneyville, R. I.

Mr. E. O. Drake,                                                 June 15, 1863

Co. C. 20^th Me. Regt.

      Dear Sir,

By a recent letter from your wife to mine we learned

your address as well as some particulars about the

last days and departure of G. E. French – how

wonderfully his mind seems to have been prepared

for the sacrifice!  His friends could hardly have

wished his letters to have been any different of they

had known that he was to be taken up when he was. 

His spirit seems to have said “not my will” and do

you not believe, my brother, that the same

Strengthening which came to Him who gave himself

to Sacrifice in the “garden”-strengthened George in

the various hours of trial through which he passed

until the last.  The same heavenly confidence and

Presence is I trust your support in trial and

confidence in loneliness and privation. 

Mrs. Hayes is so occupied she cannot write but she

deeply sympathizes with you and we daily pray God

to bless and keep you and yours till you meet again

after having secured the deliverance and established

the justice for which you have nobly given so much

and one enduring so bravely as much in behalf of us

who remain at home as of yourself. 

            We are hoping here that a victory will come

soon, or else the draft – not that this can be desired

itself, but traitors whether organized as rebels or

copperheads must be conquered and anything that

is needed as a means to that is welcome.  We expect

to visit me.  And mean to see your family if God

permits during the summer.  We should be glad to

hear from you.  I learn that I have a cousin in Co. H

of your Regiment, Lieut. Wm. W. Morrell.  If you

meet with him, please give him my regards, I should

  be glad to hear from him.  With sympathy and

   kindest regards,

I remain your Brother,

                                                      B. F. Hayes

Concerns:

         George E. French from Auburn, ME.

                 Co. K. 5^th ME.

                 Wounded at Fredericksburg, VA.

                 12/13/62 and died from his wound early 1863.

 

Written to:       Elisha O. Drake from Livermore, ME.

Soldier History

George E. French Residence Auburn ME; 26 years old. Enlisted on 6/24/1861 as a Corporal. On 6/24/1861 he mustered into "K" Co. ME 5th Infantry He died of wounds (date not stated) (Died in 1863) He was listed as: * Wounded 12/13/1862 Fredericksburg, VA Promotions: * 4th Corpl 9/23/1861 * Sergt 6/15/1862 (Estimated day) Sources used by Historical Data Systems, Inc.: - Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Maine (c) Historical Data Systems, Inc. @ www.civilwardata.com