Gettysburg: civil war letter

AN INCREDIBLE GETTYSBURG BATTLE LETTER WRITTEN ONE MONTH AFTER THE BATTLE

August 1st, 1863 (Gettysburg)

Cousin Jacob,

I need scarcely make an apology for not writing to you ere this. If I did make one it would be for writing to Henry when it was your turn to get one for me, but I hope you have forgiven me. Yes you and your Mother hear oftener then he does from us. Now the first time that I have I will have I will drop you a line. Yesterday our sick left us from both houses, and O what a relief that we have no sick in our families.

Eight weeks today when the first wounded came to me and I have had wounded and sick ever since you may think no wonder I say it is a relief to have none but well folks around me. Monforts left Mother’s yesterday. Cos Joseph came week before last. He had gone home and left his wife here to nurse Elias. The Capt was carried on a low cot with a bed on it to the cars, put in a baggage Car, expected to go home in that way. I fear his moving may cause inflammation in his limb. The Dr. said he thought there was still a piece of the sword in yet. There was a piece came out about a week since, half inch square. We were glad we had them here with us, if it did give us work it was still pleasant to be with them. Joseph’s wife is such a nice woman if only all Preachers wives were like her. Dr. Fitch who was with me left yesterday too, was here seven weeks, his wife six. They were from Oneida New York. He had typhoid fever, that is previously in our town and country and no wonder the air is so impure. Some evenings can scarcely have our doors open particularly when the wind comes from the course of the Battle field, but indeed I may say that is all round us, but I mean from South East as that is the nearest us. I have been over some part of the Battle field since I wrote to Cos. Henry. Many graves I saw with their clothing exposed. Yes quite a number that there is a foot or hand. Yes and the head all on top of the ground, I did not see any of those. O it is distressing to see the graves. Some on the road side with just a little ground thrown over them. One of our paroled prisoners took me to the grave of two men he assisted to bury. They were killed in a garden, they were buried in a onion bed, grave about a foot deep, had laid five days before any burial. They are buried all over the farm. It is west of the Seminary about half mile Cham pike, what was once Mr. Mcconaghy’s farm. Those are our men, the Rebels are buried father back of the first days fight, that is those between the Millerstown & Chambersburg pikes. On that farm I stood at the side of the mound where a number was buried. Counted twenty blue caps on that spot not more than five yards square. Not only caps but shoes, stockings, Haversacks, tin cups, canteens, papers, letters from dear ones all lay scattered enough to tell us their owners lay beneath the ground. There were ten such graves on a little spot of ground. It was a small hill from all appearance. It must have been terrible to see the work that our men done that first night. They were head of the battles. The fortifications and pits for their batteries all done after a hard days march. O how hard the poor fellows had to work. One of the men that boarded here went out with us. He could tell us and point out the different positions that our men were in, one fearful spot where the 66th, 28th and two other Ohio Regs we’re engaged. Many places marked to tell where the different Regs we’re engaged, where those Ohio men fought they opened a cross fire on the rebels. The trees are peeled off the bark, many of them dying. That is just back of us not a mile along the Creek (Wold hill, your Mother would know where) on Culp’s farm. Could you only be here to see for yourself for I can tell you nothing about it. No pen can tell half the horrible sight.

Wednesday evening. After a busy day’s work I will try to write a wee bit. Since we are clear of sick folk we have lots of work to do. I have two boarders with me, but they just came and eat and go again. Cassatt Neely is with me and a Captain. We have had a great many persons to give us a call since the battle. Gettysburg has got to be quite a place in the history of our country. Cousins Nathan & Pollock Johnston have given us a visit. They are both preaching. Just through their studies Pollock was in Baltimore, Nathan in Fayetteville. They met here, spent four days. Pollock then went to Fayetteville, N. to Philadelphia. Black came back last week and staid with us several days. We also had Mr. Hughes son-in-law of Peter Monfot. He lives in Cincinnati. Mrs. Hughes sent Mother her Father’s Mother’s photographs. Sent them by Cos. Joseph said he had a letter from one of Aunt Eliza’s Son. He could not mind the name with a request to send the Preabyter. I suppose it was from you. Aunt Peggy was here about three weeks ago. Keeps right smart for here. Uncle Jacob was here last week. He has offered his farm for sale. I’ve had a letter from William Maggoffin last week. He had not been well but was better. He writes frequently to us. One of his men is here in the Hospital and he is so anxious about him we have been attending him. Among the rest of the wounded poor fellows. I fear he may never get well. Dear cousin I wish you could just come and visit our parts. I might write & write and not tell you any thing. After all if you was just here you could hear would here and see for yourself.

Maria’s School closes tomorrow, expect her home Saturday. If she had not got home before the battle we would have felt a great deal worse. We were glad to be together come what would and one would not leave the town unless all went. If I seen I could tell many queer things happened at that time. We did not feel like laughing then but we have some big laughs now over what happened then. I have not seen Mrs. Cress since she is married. Cant tell whether she is in town or not. Indeed we have not been from home to see any of our town folks. I rather think she has been most of the time at her Fathers. Have you any Melons this fall. Wish I was there to help eat if you have any, tho I have had more to eat the last two weeks then all put together since I was in Seneca County. My boarders have been getting them, though are very high as everything else is. Butter 20 cts, Eggs 20 per Doz, Potatoes 100 per Bus now I believe they are, 75 cts apples 100 Bushel. Cant tell what Flour is. I laid In some the week before the Battle, but every thing will be very high this winter (with) the army here. The old grain is all consumed and many wheat and cornfields destroyed and it is to be wondered at that there was any let standing at all. Wm Conover told me he had not a handful of grain to cut of any kind, not even a blade of grass to cut for hay. Some farmers in that neighborhood lost all the crop there was (sic) our army was, and of course where the rebels army was. It is the same way I have not been in the country to see how things look, but some farms have scarcely a fence on them. Now Jacob won’t you try and come to see us. How glad we would be to see you. I often look for some of your folks family to come. When you write tell us how soon Duloracus(?) is moving to Ohio. I want to write to Henrietta but think I shall won’t till they move. The Draft for Adams Co has come. Cant think of any that you have much knowledge of. Wesly Lott, son of Jacob & Henry (son of H) are among the number. Now please excuse this hurried writing and do right soon and don’t give me a SM but a LM letter. I love to read good long letters. Love to all my friends Cos Jacob’s family. Remember me to your affectionate Cos.

Sarah

(There is a later note stating that the home Sarah lived in was at the corner of York Street and Hanover Street, but no longer standing.)

The author Sarah was evidently nursing some of  the sick and wounded at her home, a month after the Battle of Gettysburg. She writes a first hand report of the battle's aftermath and the general economic situation of the participants and town's  people.

8 pg. bifolio letter, 7 x  8 inches. Moderate foxing and several small separations along folds, overall in vg cond