This four page letter in ink was written by one of the most descriptive writers we have had!  Edwards described everything to his wife.  This letter is truly superb!  Condition is very good overall, there is some slight loss at the bottom of the pages that have been archivally repaired.  For the Maine or Antietam collector this letter is a treasure!

#L347 - Price $850

            Transcription:
                                                                                                                                  Camp near Bakerville,
                                                                                                                                        Md. Oct. 17th, 1862

                        My dear Wife,

                        I am just in from a ride over the old battlefield of Antietam.  The
Chaplain & our new acting A.A.G. left camp two o’clock this afternoon and went
by the little ville of Bakerville on to the pike and from there to the great battle
field.  It is my first visit since the day I visited the grave of poor Brown.  I had to
 visit the spot today again but his remains are gone to the place he held the most
sacred on earth, that is his beloved home.  Now may his ashes rest in peace in
that quiet spot by the grave of his ancestors and his noble deeds be deeply retold
in the remembrance of those that now mourn his loss but I will not dwell long on
that noble young man but will give you a little description of our pleasant ride
no not pleasant but solemn ride.  We passed the spot we first took or where we
supported the battery the Wednesday P.M. where we then laid now lays a
hundred of the dead from both armies.  It was here that the noble brave Old
Mansfield fell.  From here we followed the steps we took that night but the picture
 is very different.  Then the ground was covered with the dead and dying now t
here is a patch every few rods with little strips of boards to mark the spot with
the name of the one beneath it.  Also the camp Regt. & state he belonged to.  You
could well call it a National Graveyard as men from every state and I might say
from every nation on the globe is buried beneath that awful field.  Hundreds of
people visit the field every pleasant day.  I saw them today sisters in search of
brother & mother in search of her darling boy and widow in search of their
 deceased husband.  Hardly a day pass that you will not see a black bonnet crape
 drop or mourning of some kind about the camp a great many from N.Y. & PA.
 are here after their friends.  I visited the little church in the edge of the wood
but it’s nothing but a wreck.  It was from this that one of the Rebel Sharpshooters
 shot our Medical Director.  His name was White, but the poor man was the worst
for lineup at the time and ran into danger where there was no need of it.  I saw
 many on the field picking up some trophy such as an old cartridge box or some
bullet or some such thing but it will be a long time before the marks of that awful
battle will be blotted out as some of the largest trees are rent around by these
 iron missiles of death.  After tiring myself, I with my friend turned our faces
toward camp and arrived in season for dress parade.  I now will leave this till
something new turns up to write, so goodnight.  

                                                                                                                            Saturday evening

                                                    I now sit down in the cold to write a few lines before going to bed.   
                        We have moved again today but only a short distance, a mile or so.  We are now 
                        across the river and near a little ville called Mercerville, but the place is so small
                        that perhaps you will not find it on any of the newspaper maps but we are between 
                        Sharpsburg & Williamsport.  I do not know how long we will stop here but I presume
                        not for long.  The Adj. & Capt. Brown leave us tomorrow for Portland.  I have sent to 
                        Woodman and there for a coat by the old Adj. I wish you would pay for it as I have
                        no money to send.  You can get C. & Ch. to pay it and you pay them.  You say the boys
                        today to U. & T. Co. to make it a little larger round the waist as I am some ten lbs.
                        heavier now then I was at the time they took my measurements.  I want a good coat 
                        as good clothes are the cheapest.  I will write the boys tomorrow about it.

                                                                                                                                                      Sunday Morning

                                                    As I have a few moments time to write before church.  We are now in 
                        our new camp that is on a new ground.  We are in a beautiful camp on a beautiful 
                        large field near the Potomac River.  Our Brigade is fronting the river and the 
                        regiment are a quarter to a half a mile apart so if the enemy should cross we should
                        be in supporting distance.  The weather is getting quite cool that is the night.  We 
                        have no fire in our tents as yet but will have to fix some way to warm soon.  I am 
                        well as ever and weigh more than I ever did at this season of year.  I have seen no
                        sick days since I came into the army.  I do not think of much to write you but will 
                        close this now by saying be of good cheer, keep the little ones safe and write me all
                        the news of the place. 

                                                                            Yours, Clark