Slayton, Chester M. to Asa W. Slayton
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03955.01 Author/Creator: Slayton, Chester M. Place Written: Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 23 June 1864 Pagination: 4 p. ; 21.4 x 13.5 cm. Order a Copy
Chester mentions a letter sent the day before and the continued good health of their brothers with him. He describes the location of regiment in relationship to Atlanta and the rail road tracks and expresses hope that they will be in possession of the railroad soon. He mentions the importance of having possession of the railroad tracks. Chester describes the methods of fortifying the rear of camp at the battle of Kennesaw Mountain. He reports of heavy casualties suffered by NY regiment and other MI regiments at the battle of Kennesaw Mountain. He describes preparation of rations. Chester concludes by congratulating Asa on his resignation from the army.
Asa W. Slayton and Chester M. Slayton were brothers from Grattan, Michigan who served in the 25th Michigan Infantry Regiment. Asa W. Slayton enlisted as a sergeant at age 30 and Chester as a corporal at age 27, the later being promoted to full sergeant on 15 July 1864 during his participation in the Atlanta Campaign. Asa resigned from his position in the army in 1864 and returned to Grattan where he worked a school teacher, farmer and amateur artist. Chester served as a surveyor and draughtsman in the Engineers Department of the 25th Infantry until the end of the war. After being mustered out in June of 1865, he returned to Grattan to live as a farmer.
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