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February 9th, 1863

Camp 55th Va. Reg't. near Hagerstown, MD

Dear Sister,

You will probably be surprised when you hear

that our army has been into Maryland and penetrated

Pennsylvania as far as Gettysburg where we had

one of the bloodiest fights of the war attacking

the enemy on last Wednesday morning on the

plains before Gettysburg he was driven back with

a lost of twelve thousand men and returned

to a position on the height beyond the town where he

remained all day Thursday skirmishing and fighting

slightly. On [Friday?] our men were in fine spirits

once many [?] the [?] which they knew must

come off on that day before Lee had said those heights

must be taken and about twelve we commenced

in the center with one hundred and five pieces

of artillery at one time which you know must

have been terrible. Our infantry then charged them incess-

antly until night but failed to carry the works.

The position was too strong. Our loss was heavy

and so was that of the enemy but I know not

how much on either side. Saturday morning

we commenced falling back towards this place

thinking that we have been severely whipped

but on coming down we [learned?] [from?] Yankees

[Page 2]

that they began to fall back twelve hours

before we did [crossed out: which oh I hope is so] once [consigned?]

themselves worse whipped in this than in any previous

engagements which I hope may prove to be true

as I am certain our boys have been checked for

the first time. Our [?] acted gallantly

making the finest charge as they have ever

made taking several flags one of which was

taken by our brave little