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Corporal Levi Hawkes, 3rd Massachusetts Infantry, Autograph Letter Signed....
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Description
Corporal Levi Hawkes, 3rd Massachusetts Infantry, Autograph Letter Signed. Four pages of a bifolium, 5" x 8", Fort Monroe; June 20, [1861]. Hawkes enlisted at the age of 23 as a corporal and was mustered into Company C, 3rd Massachusetts Infantry. His letter to his friend Stevens reads in part:"...I have received both of your letters as you said it was as hot as 2 hells here just 3 o'clock out all last night on guard. I think they are trying to kill our regiment for we are on Guard & Fatigue most every day, but think our boys will hold out...you wanted me to write concerning Capt Richardson but as you have seen him yourself & heard my letter to my folks you must know just about what I think about these things. The ones that wrote all the letters are the very ones that shirk all the dutys of the company. They are all damn lies but what can you expect from a lot of boys for you cannot call them men that do not know how to behave themselves at home much more abroad. if I ever get out of this crowd I shall be very careful not to get into another party of [illegible] but for all that they do their duty very well that is a part of them. Capt left here without saying how long he should be gone or saying whether he should come back at all or not, but it is my opinion he will not come back much before the time is up & then I think the whole company will be ordered home. I do not know what I shall do as yet after my time is up for I cannot find out whether Richardson is a going to get up a company to stay here or not. Sam Chamberlin is getting up a Horse Company and I may possibly join him but not until I find out the crowd that he gets. You say you was sorry our party got licked so am I but it will always be so as long as they have such damn fools as Gen Pierce for leaders. No civilian should have an office in the army. Ol cock eye is as bad as the rest of them but they have since evacuated Big Bethel. Great letter (and I think the Fight will be commenced in a few days farther up the river. I am much obligated to you for the box but have not yet received it nor the box sent by Willie. tell him I don't have time to think much more write to all the boys that write to me so he must be content with what you tell him. Tell Joe if I had him out here I could black him over and set him to work for uncle Sam worse fellows than you Joe. I suppose Cade is on a drink as usual. tell Ward to keep his eyes open & learn all he can. With these few remains I bid you good success..." Accompanied by a blank transmittal cover.
Corporal Levi Hawkes was mustered out of the 3rd Massachusetts just two days after sending this letter, and the following month mustered into the 18th Massachusetts Infantry. He received a promotion to Sergeant and was wounded twice: first at Fredericksburg and then the Wilderness. He survived his wounds and mustered out of service in September 1864.
Condition: Flattened mail folds with light toning and soiling.
Auction Info
2020 April 22 Historical Manuscripts Signature Auction - Dallas #6223 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
April, 2020
22nd
Wednesday
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