Mark Anthony & George W. Bailey

I was asked to look into George W. Bailey, by Nathalie Bowen, While corresponding she told me of a ancestor Mark Anthony, who was killed in the civil war, and that George W, Bailey, had written a letter and told of his feeling on the loss of his friend. After I read the letter I ask to put it up at my web site, she told she would like that.

The letter came about When Captain Julivs Pitzman received a letter from Mrs. James ( Eleanor ) Walker, who wrote to find out some of the particulars of her brothers death. Captain Pitzman, had been in the same company with him, but he felt that as Captain Bailey who was also in the company and new him a lot better would like to respond to the letter.

Mark Anthony, enlisted July 10, 1861, at Pilot Knob, Missouri into the 6th. Missouri Infantry, Company D. He was 19 years old. He was discharged as a Sergeant, March 23, 1863, he reenlisted and was promoted to Second Lieutenant of Co. D., February 2, 1863. He was killed in action at Kenesaw Georgia, June 27, 1864.
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Law Office of George W. Bailey
418 1/2 Olive Street
St. Louis, Missouri
April 26, 1897.

Mrs. James Walker.

Dear Madam:

Your letter of recent date to Captain J. Pitzman of this city was referred to me y him for my response thereto.

I knew your brother Mark Anthony intimately. I, too, was a second lieutenant in the 6th Infantry Missouri Volunteers; and Mark and I were close intimate friends form teh time of his promotion until the day of his death.

During the Atlanta campaign, however, we were separated more, as I was promoted to be A.D.C. on the 2nd Division Staff, 15th Army Corps, while he remained in the regiment.
After he returned from the Memphis hospital, he presented me with his photograph which I have yet in my military album, and of course value very highly.

I was tearing through the woods during the battle of Kennesaw Mountain, on horseback, when I suddenly espied a familiar uniform coat on the person of a dead officer having a handkerchief on his face. I felt so sure that it was Mark that, wounded as I was, I dismounted - raised the handkerchief and found my suspicions were correct. Brushing the flies from his open mouth, I tenderly replaced the handkerchief in a more secure way, bade my brave little patriot friend a tearful last farewell, and went to have my own wounds attended.
Shortly after, I sought Colonel of the 6th to learn from him more of Mark's death. Of course, I saw he had been shot through the body from side to side.

The Colonel told me that he and Mark were standing side by side, or rather in a stooping position to obtain a better view of the enemies' works - when a rifle ball from the flank struck Mark as indicated - and that he placed his hand on the Colonel's shoulder and exclaimed, "Colonel, I am killed."

The Colonel said he hoped not and bade him go to the rear. It was in his effort to reach the rear that he fell at the spot where I shortly after discovered him. Some kind hand had just placed his handkerchief over his face, which bore a peaceful smile.

All the officers of the 6th, as well as many others, felt severely the loss of so gently and brave a little fellow as Mark Anthony. Shortly before the battle, he had predicted that he would be killed, but fate could not have selected a choicer or more universally beloved victim. To this very day it seems horrible to contemplate that such noble sacrifices were necessary to preserve us -- ONE NATION.

Rest assured kind Madam, that you have nothing but that which was heroic, gentle, patriotic and true to mourn in the death of your brother, my comrade, Mark.

Perhaps if you will write to Col, Van Deusen, Litchfield, Ill. you may obtain from him more minute particulars of your brothers heroic death, and possibly his place of burial. there can be no doubt, I think, that he rests sweetly under the folds of the old flag which waves over the National Cemetery near Kenesaw Mountain, Georgia.

With sentiments of the highest esteem, I am
Respectfully yours to command,
signed George W. Bailey
Late Capt. 6th Infantry Missouri Volunteers.

Note: Records at Marietta National Cemetery show:

Mark Anthony, 2nd Lt.
Co. D, 6th Mo, Vol. Inf,
Died: 27 June 1864
Grave 1087, Section "A"