Cosmo W. Baker 

Letter regarding Military Service

The Pittsburgh Bessemer& Lake Erie Railroad Co.

Meadville, Pa.

Sam B. Dick   

Chairman.

Feb’y 1, 1897.

Mrs. Mollie B. Southwick, 

Willard Hotel, Louisville, Ky.

Dear Madam:

            I have your letter of the 29th.

.

            Your brother, C.W. Baker, was enlisted by me at Meadville on the 22d day of April, 1861, in what was then known as the Meadville Volunteers. We went to Pittsburgh about the 1^st of May, and the latter part of May the Company re-enlisted for  three years in the Penn’a Volunteer Corps, and became known thereafter as “Co. F of the 9th Regiment Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps.” He served under my command, and the first action in which he was engaged was at Drainesville, Va., December 20, 1861, at which time I was badly wounded. The regiment lay in camp near Washington all winter, and in the spring moved forward to Fredericksburg, Va., and after remaining there a short time was sent to join McClellan’s army on the Peninsula, just prior to what  was known as the seven days’ fight. He was with me in the battles of Mechanicsville Gaines’ Mills, and up to the 30th day of June, 1862, at the battle we termed “Charles City Cross Roads,” but termed by the Confederates “White Oak Swamp.” He was wounded through both legs above the knees, nearly up to his thighs, and was left on the field and taken prisoner. Shortly afterwards he was paroled and sent to Annapolis, Md., where he  was finally discharged on a surgeon’s certificate of disability, by reason of his wounds,  on the 8th day of December, 1862.

M. B. S.  #2.

            This is his record as shown by the original Muster Roll of the Company, and is all the information it is in my power to furnish you, as I knew nothing further of him after that time.

            Trusting this information will give you what you want, I remain,

                                  Yours very truly,

                                                                                                                           (signed) Sam B. Dick

[Then in Mollie’s handwriting.]

            From Annapolis, Md. He was went to Alexandria, Va. The parole camp there was then in charge of Gen. DeCarfoni,  (I do not know if spelled correctly, but I think so.), Philadelphia, Pa. A genial big hearted man. Capt. Fay, my husband with three other officers from Pa. with myself visited the camp at Alexandria & met with a most corgial reception from the officers in charge. I shall never forget the day spent there. It was at that time that my brother’s discharge was set on foot.

                                                                                    (signed) Mollie B. Southwick