WIA at Gettysburg Soldier Chronicles the Opening of the Gettysburg Campaign

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2004

A rare war-date Union soldier’s, pencil inscribed, 8pp. 8vo., letter written by Corp. Thomas W. Gardner, Co. H, 14th Conn. Vols., Gainesville, Va., June 23, 1863, concerning operations during the opening of the Gettysburg campaign, and of his love for country, in very small part: “…we are now encamped at Gainesville near…the famous Bull Run battle field…there is no infantry here besides our division…we may stay here all summer…it will depend upon the movement of the enemy…there was quite a cavalry fight…here Sunday at a place called Upperville it was distinctly heard from here…our troops came off victorious. The cavalry advanced as far as Warrenton…going farther to the Northwest…we may…escape some of the fighting…the fighting does not worry me…I…trust in God and leave all in his hands…our country is worth fighting for…no one can ever convince me that slavery is right…the rebles crossing into Maryland and Penn. will prove a good thing…I do not care how severe the rebles are with the Pennsylvanians. I hope they will show their worst and see if the North cannot get waked up…June 24…through the night. I was on guard. The detail…that went out on picket on the 22nd did not all return…some were taken prisoners. Lieutenant Tibbets [WIA July 3, 63 at Gettysburg] of New London was among the number…one from our company…by the name of Charles Garde [WIA May 10, 64 Spotsylvania] …there is some guerrillas lurking around here… our cavalry will have them yet…Gen. French is to take command of the Third Corps…Gen. Hancock has command of our corps…is William Clark a sutler? I heard he was…if he is I hope he does not rob the soldiers as they do out here…”. Much more interesting content. During the battle of Gettysburg, Gardner was wounded the hand while his regiment charged the Bliss Barn to clear out menacing Confederate sharpshooters. Some soiling, else very good.

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