Item Description: Diary entry, 1 July 1863, written by Levi J. Fritz, describing his regiment’s march toward the Battle of Gettysburg. Fritz served in the 53rd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment during the Civil War and wrote the regiment’s song, “My 53rd.”. He was granted a medical leave of absence in December 1864 for haimoptysis (hemoptysis).

[Item transcription available below image.]

Item Citation: From Folder 1 of the Levi J. Fritz Papers #5442-z, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Item Transcription:

Wednesday, July 1st 1863

Packed up by daylight and shortly after took up the line of march –  Proceeded slowly Passed through Codyville and several other pretty places. Passed Mason and Dixon’s Line into Penna at 4 P.M. at 9 P.M. the division was halted in the line of Battle along the edge of woodland our Regiment was sent out on Picket. Heard along the line that there was a fight going on at Gettysburg and that Genl Reynolds was killed. Our bivouac to night is almost 4 miles from the place but all is still. This is the anniversary of the Battles of Malvern and Falling Waters.