Gettysburg Letter From The Field

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2005

Ellis C. Strouss enlisted as a private in Company "K", 57th Pennsylvania infantry on November 1, 1861. His regiment offered ample opportunity for promotion as it included the Virginia Peninsula, at Second Manassas, Frederickburg, and Chancelorsville among its early battle honors. By the summer of 1863 Strouss had risen to Sergeant. The 57th fought in the Wheatfield at Gettysburg and was heavily engaged in the final bloody campaigns against General Lee in Virginia. Strouss ended his war as a Captain. Two letters written by Strauss when a sergeant are presented here in order of importance rather than chronologically. Autograph Letter Signed "Ellis C Strouss", 2 pages, quarto, July 4, 1863, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania to his mother in Crawford County, Pennsylvania. The letter reads in full: "July 4, 1863 Battlefield near Gettysburg, PA Dear Mother, I have a chance to mail a letter so I will write to you for I know you are anxious to hear from me. We are fighting at this place. Our Regt was engaged on Thursday, July 2nd. I am alive and quite well I came out of the Battle unharmed. I cannot tell yet with any certainty the loss in our Co. Jonas Snow and Thomas Crosly (Lieutenant) are wounded The missing are Horace Sweet, Richard Farrington, Adolphus Thompson, Albert Peck, Jonathan Locke, William Spear all of our Co. Our Col. is slightly wounded in the hand, our Adjutant in the hip. The Major is missing and also Acting Sergeant James Houghtaling. Our Regt numbers about 60 men We are confidant of victory I seen some of the 150th Regt Pa Vols. and was informed by them that Samuel Pieffer was killed, Peter Kaplar was sick in the hospital therefor he was not in the Battle. I got the letters from you last week also some papers and a Pocket Handkerchief & also got a letter from Wirt Chase. Let him see this or else acquaint him with the loss es of our Co. I will write soon again if God spares my life. This is very poor writing but I guess you can make out what it is. I hope this Battle will end the war so that I may return home to you. May God bless and protect you. All my love to you all. I remain, Your Affectionate Son, Ellis C. Strouss". Written in pencil with the usual fading, especially on the folds. Fine condition...Plus; Autograph Letter Signed "Ellis C. Strouss", 4 pages, octavo, June 18, 1863, Centerville, Virginia to his mother in Crawford County, Pennsylvania. This letter was written during the maneuvers that would culminate in battle at Gettysburg some two weeks later. It reads in part: "...I do not know where we are going to...We had heard that the Rebel Army is invading Pennsylvania, but i do not think they will be foolish enough to enter Penna. with a large army, for they will not get back safe if they do...". Written in pencil, Fine condition.

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