17 July 1863: “A telegram…announces the death of our dear Johnston which occurred this morning”

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Portrait of James Johnston Pettigrew, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

 

Item Description: Letter, 17 July 1863, From Mary W. Bryan to her daughter, informing her of General James Johnston Pettigrew’s death. On July 14th, 1863, a telegram had  been delivered to a Reverend Pringle asking him to write to the Pettigrew family and inform them that General Pettigrew had been “wounded in the hand and arm” at Gettysburg, but was still with his command.  Three days later he was dead.

[Item transcription available below images.]

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Item Citation: From folder 264 of the Pettigrew Family Papers #592, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Item Transcription:

Raleigh July 17th ’63

My dear daughter

A telegram just recd from L G Young Aid de Camp at Bunker Hill announces the death of our dear Johnston which occurred this morning, I cannot find words to express my sorrow at the sad event but trust he has gone to rest & is now in Heaven with his dear Parents My heart is too full to write more now May Heaven sanctify this great affliction to all of us is my fevered prayer. My heart has been rent with anguish for my dear George. I hear to day that he is in a hospital in Washington City where William has seen him, and is doing well, Oh! That I could see him. Farewell my dear Child try to bear this affliction as becometh a Christian

Your aff. and afflicted mother
Mary W. Bryan

P.S. My best love to all.

 

 

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