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− | + | July 9th, 1863 | |
Camp 55th Va. Reg't. near Hagerstown, MD | Camp 55th Va. Reg't. near Hagerstown, MD |
Latest revision as of 15:02, 16 August 2017
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[Written on front:]
Deliver your next to Richard Rouzie Co. F 55th VA Reg't Brockenbrough's Brigade [?] [Division?] and it will come to me RR
[Page 1]
July 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 [brigade?] acted gallantly
making the finest charge as they have ever
made taking several flags one of which was
taken by our brave little [?] Tell about it
if it will do his cause any good over the [?]
as he is very much invested. The casualties of
our Regiment are not known except what I
can say about the boys in our neighborhood namely
[Thomas?] [Powers?] taken prisoner with one wagon. Dr.
[?] [?] Bougham wounded and had his right arm
amputated. George Smith in Co. F from [?] wounded
once [since dead?]. Dallas [?] from Essex
wounded in leg. I have just been from the [?]
wagons to the Regiment once found all of the way
from our country well. Your letter of the 25th June
reached me at camp on 8th July and this was
written on the 9th so you can give me [credit?]
for punctuality this time. Give yourself
no uneasiness about me. I am still [only Sgt?]
and not much [disposed?]. I would be pleased to hear
of fish fries and tea pastries at any other time except
the present - for I must say I do not think this is any
[Page 3]
time for mirth and gaiety when our soldiers are
undergoing so much in the field. It makes us think
we [haven't been?] thought of at home when we hear
such reports however I suppose the Miller's crowd was
at the head of the business as country [characters?]
are coming from that way and I am told that
[Buck?] gets along amazingly well at [Springfield?]
Write me something about it in your next.
Tell [Hettie?] that Davy is well sends his love to
her and Nan and will soon come down when we
get into Virginia again. Your brother,
Richard Rouzie, Jr.