Waking rather late, I bid my friends goodbye and left for the seat of war. Found Wright at the Parker House and while talking with him was accosted by [George Newton] Jackson (graduate Alpha Delta Phi). Wright had just left three Williams Alpha Delts whom he met in the street, fellows full to running over with the true Alpha Delta spirit. I went with Wright at his request to see the colleges again and also to Bunker Hill for the first time, up the 358 toilsome steps which lead to the tower from which Boston, Cambridge and Charlesto[w]n with all their historical and pleasant associations are plainly seen. [Read more…] about July 5, 1863
July 4, 1863
Gettysburg
Dear Father and Mother Brother and Sisters
I will write a few lines to you This being the last that I ever shall write I was wounded with a mimie ball the second day of July in the left Brest but I die like a hero [inkblot] that I have done my duty in defence of my country It is a glorious death to die Most all of our Co is killed or wounded it was a hard fought Battle but our men are victorious their was been no fighting to day tell the folks that I dies a glorious Death
I must close Good by now and forever
Weep not for me, S B Shea
[verso]
Gettysburg July 10 /63
Mr Shea This letter you Son rote it was the last he ever had the privilage to tell you he fell Your Son don his whole duty to his God and his cuntry and he diede with his Sences and he did not apear to sufer much He was struck in the left Brest and I think it past through his Lunge He had as good care taken of him as could be expected placd where we are I have done all I could for him and all the rest of our Com but he like some others of our Com, could mot Live with the Best of care he diede the 9th of this month at [illegible] in the evening and was buried this morning He did not say anything about home Poor fellow he has Fought his last Battle died like all true Soldiers. I was wounded the same day he was buy slight. I now am attending on the rest of our company, it is a horred sight to see some of them, we buried poor James Heal this morn with your Son, he likewise died at four yesterday eve he I think did not sense anything he was left of the field for dead, and the fourth day after the fight I reconised him and tried to bring him too but failed he never tasted anything for eight days I tried to get some down but could not and he died the eight day after the fight our Loss is heavy and we all done our duty nobely and our core Saved the Battle So dead Sir I say with your Son if we [illegible] all fall we die like heroes to save our Beloved Country and thank God we have come [illegible]ctorous with great victory.
With respect to you I write this to you to let you know how he diede and we buried him well. Jesse Mitchell Co K 19th Maine Vol
Samuel Beal Shea and Jesse Mitchell to Shea Family [Civil War Miscellany]
July 3, 1863
Camp 20th Me. near Warrenton Pa.
My dear friends at Home—
Again have I recd a kind letter from home of the date [illeg. paragraph]
We are leaving quite [illeg. word] now, but I expect that we shall move again [illeg. phrase]. It is cloudy today [illeg. passage]. … Corps lost so many horses. The army had to stop & rest a while [illeg. phrase] up its horses if nothing more & besides the men were getting raggedy everything needed rest, sweet rest. [illeg. passage] on the field of battle; I do not know but what you will think it is strange there can be a glimmer of peace[?] amidst such scenes but there nevertheless is; as only after a day of conflict & excitement as we lay ourselves down on the ground, with perhaps a stone for a pillow, & when all is still, & we look up to Heaven & thank our Heavenly Father that our lives have been spared; this then that a feeling of peace steals over us … when we are in camp for a few days … a neighboring Band strikes up in strains of sweet music, first some National Air, then some lively tune, & again some soft melodious strains, ‘tis then that a feeling of peace steals over us … when the Cannon is booming, in the fierceness of battle we can look for peace, for peace can only come to our beni[gh]ted country through these, & these alone. [Read more…] about July 3, 1863
July 2, 1863
Tuesday. Received a letter from Pamelia dated June 15th. All well at home. Bless the Lord, O my soul, & all that is within me, bless his holy name. She had received the two letters written at Algiers, 7 knew that we were here before Port Hudson. Went out to the 3rd Brigade Commissary, to draw rations for the 3rd, 4th, & 5th [illeg. word] Only a part of the articles we wanted were on hand, so we waited for teams to come from the landing, & at length, got nearly all except rice & beans. Issued the rations in the afternoon. Some new recruits came in toward night, whom we shall have to draw for tomorrow.
Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]
July 1, 1863
Bought a horse this day for $150—dapple brown color, off fore ankle & rear hind ankle white. On the move now. Don’t know where but think we are going to join the forces of Hill & Longstreet and attack Hooker. The confirmation of a rumor that Grant had been badly whipped before Vicksburg came last night. Great rejoicing in consequence. Camped last night about 4 miles from the town of Berlin. Marched until about 2 o’clock. Went into action at that time. Remained until 4 o’clock. Lost from our battery 1 man killed, … 1 man wounded … 3 horses wounded. Went to bed at 1 o’clock.
June 30, 1863
Tuesday. This morning Sergt. North brought in the muster & pay rolls, having filled up to of them yesterday. I completed … one for him, & he took the whole back to the Regt. to finish. Lt. Truworthy who started on Sunday for Baton Rouge for the last rolls had not returned this morning, & we fear something has befallen him on the way. 10 o’clock. The “storming party” has just got into line to be reviewed by Genl. Banks. I do not go out, as I cannot obtain a horse this morning. The commissary has brought in the balance of the three days rations, & has issued them to the companies, & all appear to be well satisfied with their share. In afternoon[!] wrote a letter to Pamelia stating how I am situated, & what the “storming party” hope & expect[!] to do. Carried the letter, with sever other home letters, to Lt. Jerrard, who will forward it if I do not survive this attack. Also gave him the certificates I made on the 28th about ordnance, ord. stores, & Quartermaster’s property that I am responsible for, so that if I am not alive to settle my co. business, he may be able to do it without loss to my family. I trust that a kind Providence will spare me to do this business myself, but think it wise to entrust it to someone who will feel interested to have it done correctly. Lt. Brown went on to the Regt., says it was mustered for payment. Capt. Wood has gone over this evening. At dress parade the Capts. Were directed to see that the companies get through with breakfast by 6 o’clock tomorrow.
Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]
June 29, 1863
Monday. Went early to Col. Berges’ quarters, for the morning whiskey ration for the men, but the Col. said there was but little left, & I need not issue any today. The men were much disappointed. Spent all the forenoon in getting three days rations from the Brigade (3rd) Commissary. The three days extend to Thursday night. Met Genl. Banks while going out to the commissary. He is to review the “storming party” at 4 ½ P.M. At that hour both Battallions came out under their commanders, & formed in line, but after waiting till after 6 o’clock it was announced that Genl. Banks was unwell & not able to review them, but that if able he would review us at 10 tomorrow.
Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]
June 28, 1863
Went in company with bro[ther] Williams to the S[unday] S[chool] at Dr. Sunderland’s. … A good strait forward sermon made a beautiful allusion to death of Adm. Foot.
P.M. Went to Mt. Pleasant hospital … went thro’ the wards. Visited the Contraband Camp. … Went around among the col[ore]d folks. They seemed happy. Saw a novel funeral, singing, pray, shaking hands, &[c]. …
Diary of Jonathan Edwards Adams [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]
June 27, 1863
Headquarters Eleventh Corps, Near Middleton, Ma
Dearest,
I have received another good long letter from you written just after Maj Whittlesey and Mrs. W’s visit. I am glad they came to see you. I got a letter from Major Whittlesey at the same time. […] I am afraid you are working too hard or doing too much. Shopping you know is very dangerous.
We are working along up towards you. The rebels are again bothering us and home. […]
Oliver Otis Howard to his wife, Elizabeth Ann Waite [Oliver Otis Howard Papers]
June 26, 1863
Headquarters Eleventh Corps, Middleton, Ma
Dear Sister Lizzie,
I came to camp at Goose Creek, 6 miles from Leesburg on Tues: with the 11th Corps. Mail Carrier. The next day I “marched” with the Corps to Edwards Ferry, 6 miles, and the next to Point of Rocks and turning at that point to Jefferson , 5 miles from the Potomac where we spent the night in a house. The march was a hard one of 25 or 30 miles in a day. Today we have already moved 6 miles up this beautiful and fruitful valley to this lovely little town. There is no immediate prospect of a battle – the enemy being two days march ahead of us towards Penn.
Otis seems quite well, but works hard almost every moment and gets pretty tired every night and sometimes is awakened often during the night with Orders. […]
Charles Henry Howard to his sister-in-law, Elizabeth Ann Waite [Oliver Otis Howard Papers]