Tag Archives: Battle of Gettysburg

16 November 1863: “I know of no more fitting resting place for a brave soldier than the battlefield on which he has laid down his life in the defense of the rights of his Country.”

Item Description:  Letter dated 16 November 1863, from Robert E. Lee to R. H. Graves, about locating the remains of Captain H. A. Gordon at Gettysburg.  Robert E. Lee was a United States Army officer, 1829-1861; commander of Virginia forces in … Continue reading

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3 September 1863: “In the Battle of Gettysburg I lost two of my best friends, Conl. Avery & Capt. Burns. I know the loss of your son has been a soar and bitter trial to you, and not only to you, but all your family.”

Item description: Letter, dated 3 September 1863, from John A. McPherson to Isaac Thomas Avery, father of Isaac Erwin Avery, colonel of the 6th North Carolina Infantry Regiment, describing the circumstances surrounding his son’s death at the Battle of Gettysburg. More about … Continue reading

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30 July 1863: “When north and south have been sufficiently humbled God will turn away his wrath from us.”

Item Description: A 30 July 1863 letter relates family casualties at Gettysburg (one member dead and another severely wounded) from M.J. Blackwell to his sister-in-law, Margaret Blackwell. [Item transcription below image] Item Citation: From Folder 1 of the Margaret E. Blackwell Papers … Continue reading

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28 July 1863: “Gov I want to ask of you to give me a place if in your power in my own state NC”

Item Description: Letter, 28 July 1863, from W. T. Dickinson to Governor Zebulon Vance requesting placement in North Carolina. Dickinson survived Gettysburg and was in Virginia when petitioning Governor Vance. Item Citation: Folder 205, Zebulon Baird Vance Papers, #3952, Southern Historical Collection, … Continue reading

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27 July 1863: “I was in Richmond a few days ago when Gen Pettigrew’s body was carried through there.”

Item Description:  Letter, dated 27 July 1863, written by James Augustus Graham, stationed in Virginia, to his mother, residing in Hillsborough, NC. James Graham served in the 27th North Carolina Infantry Regiment, Confederate States of America and lived until 1908. … Continue reading

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24 July 1863: “…Nat Went in to the Battle in Pennsylvania and he supposed he was killed he had not bin herd since…”

Item description: Letter, dated 24 July 1863, from Sally A. Bouldin to her “dear sister” Sally Hundley, reporting that her husband Nat was missing and presumed to have been killed during the Battle of Gettysburg. Item citation: From folder 2 … Continue reading

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22 July 1863: “The life, career, and death of young Burgwyn, convey a lesson to the youth of this Confederacy…”

Item Description: Obituary of Col. Henry K. Burgwyn, 22 July 1863, published in a Raleigh newspaper.  The obituary uses quotes from letters by Stonewall Jackson and D. H. Hill to describe Burgwyn’s character and concludes with extracts from letters written by … Continue reading

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21 July 1863: “base and mean and pusillanimous must be the man who remains and allows the enemies lines to encircle his home…while there is a musket in his reach

Item Description: Letter, 21 July 1863, to Mrs. John S. Lewis from her son John, describing in detail his brigade’s role in the battle of Gettysburg, having his slaves captured, and his feelings about Union occupation in the south. [Item … Continue reading

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19 July 1863: “We had a separate Battle at a town called Gettysburg. Our Regt lost a hundred and ten men …”

Item description: Letter, dated 19 July 1863, from John Hundley to his wife Sally Hundley.  In this letter, Hundley describes his regiment’s march into Pennsylvania and retreat into Virginia following the battle of Gettysburg.  John Hundley served in Company C … Continue reading

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18 July 1863: “You may have the satisfaction to know that he fell where we would all wish to fall (if it be God will) with his face to the enemy.”

Item description: John Caldwell served in Co. E, 33rd Regiment, North Carolina Troops. View an earlier letter, dated 22 June 1863, in which Jonny tells his father about his unit’s movement through Virginia, here.  In the letter that follows, dated … Continue reading

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