1864 LETTER – CAPT. JOHN M. DEANE, 29TH MASSACHUSETTS, REGARDING STATUS OF WOUNDED SERGT. FRANCIS J. COLE

$65.00 SOLD

Quantity Available: None

Item Code: 846-295

Dated “Camp 29th Mass. Vet. Vols. / Near Petersburg, Va, Dec 9th/64.” Letter is addressed to an unidentified official at the USA General Hospital Chester, PA, concerning the whereabouts of 1st Sergt. Francis J. Cole. 2 page in ink on lined paper, 9.75 x 7.75., including a communication from hospital Surgeon Thos. Bache concerning the status of Sergt. Cole.

Text: “On the 1st day of June 1864, 1st Sergt. Francis J. C0le, Co. “K” 29th Mass. V. Vols. was wounded in action and sent to hospital. On the 22nd of July I sent as requested his descriptive list to Hospital at Chester, Penn, I have received nothing official concerning him since that date. I learn unofficially that he was at East Boston, Mass., some time since on furlough, and that he has now deserted. I can not credit it however, and much desire to learn his whereabouts as he has lately been commissioned 1st Lt. If you will be kind enough to inform me if he is still at the hospital, or of his whereabouts you will confer a favor…John M. Deane, Capt. Co. “k”, 29th Mass.”

Surgeon Communication, UAS Hospital, Chester Mass, Dec. 12, 1864.—"Respectfully returned—The within named Francis J. Cole, Sergt, Co. “K” 29th Mass was furloughed Aug. 2 for 20 days and has not returned. He is a deserter from this hospital.”

Francis J. Cole’s record lists him as a 24 year-old carpenter from Boston, MA, who enlisted and was mustered as a sergt. in Co. “K”, 29th Mass. Infantry, 5/22/1861. After serving a three year enlistment and re-enlisting as a veteran volunteer, Cole was wounded 6/3/1864 at Bethesda Church, MD, and shortly after was promoted to 1st Lieut., 7/1/1864. He is then listed as being abruptly discharged 8/22/1864.

Inasmuch Sergt. Coles’ date of discharge corresponds with the expiration of his 20 day furlough, it seems probable that via a local physician the wounded Cole managed to arranged and negotiate a service discharge from the Adjt. General’s office in Washington, which was derelict in notifying both the hospital which had declared him a deserter, and his regiment which had already promoted him to Lieutenant.

Lieut. John Deane was a 24 year-old Freetown, MA, teacher who was commissioned as Lieut. into Co. “G”, 29th Mass. Infantry, 6/1/1861. He was promoted to Captain, 6/8/1864, and received the Medal of Honor for action at Ft. Stedman, 3/25/1865, as well promotion to Major, 5/15/ 1865.

An unusual and highly intriguing 29th Mass. document. Invites further research. In protective sleeve. [JP] [PH:L]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.

THANK YOU!

Inquire About 1864 LETTER – CAPT. JOHN M. DEANE, 29TH MASSACHUSETTS, REGARDING STATUS OF WOUNDED SERGT. FRANCIS J. COLE

For inquiries, please email us at [email protected]

featured item

12-POUNDER NAPOLEON PENDULUM HAUSSE CANNON SIGHT

This is an essential piece of artillery gear for crews manning the classic Civil War field-piece, the Model 1857 12-Pounder Napoleon. The pendulum hausse rear sight was the often-used replacement for the tangent scale rear sight that needed the… (1231-02). Learn More »

Upcoming Events

28
Mar

April 13-14: Spring Gettysburg Military Antiques Show Learn More »

Instagram