Four page letter in ink dated December 25, 1861 and written from Camp California. The soldier, Corporal Charles K. Garretson, is writing home to his mother on Christmas Day thanking her for the box of good things she sent him. Evidently Garretson could not write as he mentions passing out the goodies amongst his friends and “to the boy who writes my letters.” He goes on to thank his mother for a bottle of pickles and a Bible which he says “I shall always carry it with me and think of the one that sent it to me.” He also informs his mother that he shared some apples with the officers and that they send their respects.

Letter is in good condition and very readable. Upper left corner of first page has a full color rendition of a soldier holding a US flag with an eagle perched beside him. Both figures stand on a rock amidst a stormy sea. On the rock is written “THE CONSTITUTION OF OUR FATHERS.”

Charles K. Garretson was 22 years old when he enlisted as a Private in Company A, 57^th New York Infantry on August 20, 1861. Garretson was promoted to Corporal on May 1, 1862. The 57^th New York became part of the 2^nd Corps of the Army of the Potomac and saw action at Fair Oaks, Gaines Mill, Peach Orchard, Malvern Hill Bull Run and Antietam. In the last named battle Garretson suffered a wound of undetermined severity. He died of disease at Bolivar Heights, Virginia on October 13, 1862.     [ad]

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