Slayton, Chester M. to Asa W. Slayton
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03955.04 Author/Creator: Slayton, Chester M. Place Written: Georgia Type: Autograph letter Date: 17 August 1864 Pagination: 4 p. ; 21.1 x 13.6 cm. Order a Copy
Chester comments on his disappointment at not receiving frequent correspondence from home. Claims to have been kept very busy, "Uncle Samyuel, or his Generals, kept us so busy making strategical movements trying to get around the left flank of the Southern Confederacy." He gives detailed description of daily life in the construction and disassembly of camp fortifications. He explains that he would like to disclose more information in terms of their location but afraid that the letter may fall into Confederate hands.
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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