Raynor HCA 2013-07
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/18/2013
A rare war-date Gettysburg citizen's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by a certain W. J. L. Wilkes, [Gettysburg, Penn.], Nov. 12, [63], to his son about the invasion of the north by Lee and his Army of Northern Virginia, in small part: "…when Lees Rebble Army crost the Potomack all kinds of bisiness was stopt some looking for them others gone over the Susquahana with their stock...there were no Rebs lower down than Merits tavern says the had them pretty thick...forty five rebs came through town stole all the horses at the Church...met Leutenant Horner and 25 men he Charged on them Capturd 12 men and 15 Horses killed 3 Horses no men killed or wouned 2 Regiments Camped within half mile of them did not trouble...next morning June 30 had a fight in town the 8 Ills Cavalry met the Rebs in town at daylight and fell back to emitsburg road. The Rebs to Cashtown none killed, 3 or 4 slightly wounded…". The letter continues by describing the main action at Gettysburg: "July 1 came the big fight at Gettysburg at 10 O'clock heard the canons ror he started to see the battle went till the shells met him on the road could see where the Arillary was placed hear the Yel of the Rebs and the Cheers of the Yankeys as the charged forth and were Driven back time and again till the fell back south and east of the town Rebs Contented themselvs with what the had done...next day as Night came on came the Army of the Potomac with its tens of thousands...went into thier positions...July 2 was on round top the Signal corps were there high above the Combatants could see all around for miles...July 3...Fairfield was on the hill and seen it all a number killed and wouned 20 and 30 wounded 175 taken Prisoner...July 4 Rebs began to retreat at 10, such a set of dirty, greasy, filthy, lousy looking men you never seen kept on all night and next day till evening wagon train in the road and troops on either side. When the rear was just here the Yanks began to shell them...shells come pretty thick several pased between the hose and barn..." He urges his son to come home and visit, but to do it "...before the 19th inst when the National Cemetery is to be consecrated Hon Edward Everett is to Deliver the Oration Unkle Abraham Lincoln and Family is to be there and 50000 more…". More interesting content, overall VG.
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