[CIVIL WAR]. Letter regarding cowardice and desertion by soldier Geo. Dean at the Battle of Antietam, written by Captain John Lathrop, 35th Massachusetts Infantry. “Camp near Falmouth, VA,” 5 January 1863.

2 pages, 5 x 8 in. Old folds, possible binding clip crease to upper left.

In this letter to Colonel Edward Wild ("Co. Wild"), Captain Lathrop writes, in part:

After our regiment crossed the bridge at Antietam and before it made the charge down the hill, it lay for some time on a hill side. Previous to forming the line I sent a sergeant to see if there were any stragglers from my company among some men who I saw a short distance down the hill. He went and in his return said that Dean was down the hill and would not get up. I sent him again and told him to order Dean to get up at once. He did so and reported that Dean said he was too sick to move. Just then the order was given to fall in and I saw no more of him. I considered him a deserted and have so reported him. I have never known of his being sick since he left and have had no application for a 'descriptive.' I do not know of his ever having a furlough. The man told me a lie at Lynnfield and I never had any confidence in him afterwards. Charles Hammond and James Welch, privates in my company deserted the same day...

Separate inscription, written in another hand, appears at the bottom of the second page of the letter, reading: "been at home all December / cuts hair under Hotel in Boston / Seen drunk in street at Dedham in December / by Germ[a?]n [?] wounded leg - of Co. I. -"

John Lathrop worked as a lawyer before enlisting in the Army as a 1st lieutenant on 13 August 1862. He was commissioned into Company I, 35th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment 3 days later, and was promoted to the rank of captain later than month. He resigned and was discharged for disability in November of the following year.

George V. Dean worked as a varnisher before enlisting as a private on 8 August 1862. He mustered into Company I, 35th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment 8 days later. Interestingly, he is not listed as having deserted, but as being discharged for disability on 23 March 1863 at Boston, Massachusetts.

Both Charles Hammond and James Welch are listed as serving in Company I of the 35th Massachusetts, and having deserted on 17 September 1862 at Antietam, MD.

Bob Zeller Civil War Collection

This lot is located in Cincinnati.