Slayton, Chester M. to Asa W. Slayton
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03955.02 Author/Creator: Slayton, Chester M. Place Written: Cross Roads, Georgia Type: Autograph letter Date: 4 July 1864 Pagination: 4 p. ; 18.6 x 12.3 cm. Order a Copy
Chester mentions a letter sent a week ago. He explains that because it is a holiday no work has been assigned. He describes fighting in recent week in the battles of Kennesaw Mountain and Marietta, GA as particularly bloody. He describes a break through Confederate lines and the theft of Confederate rations also indicating a lack of rations among Union troops. Chester explains that another member of the engineering company was shot while preparing a breastwork. Expresses frustration at lack of knowledge of outcome of battles and movements of forces. Describes the taking of prisoners. Mentions that troops are tired and getting sick with lack of sleep. Chester questions intentions of Asa to return home.
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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