Bell, Grove L., 1844-1863 to home friends
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC08913.12 Author/Creator: Bell, Grove L., 1844-1863 Place Written: Littlestown, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 6 July 1863 Pagination: 4 p. : Height: 20.3 cm, Width: 25.6 cm Order a Copy
Apologizes for not having written sooner, but has not slept well in days and has not had time to write on account of the battle. Does not think that the Confederates will be returning to Pennsylvania anytime soon after the results of the battle at Gettysburg. Says the regiment was "lucky" not to lose more men in the battle. Casualties were 6 killed and "23 or 30" wounded, which was "a very high loss for the time we were under fire." Had a piece of shell strike "within… inches of my leg" while lying prone. Comments that members of his own company named B. [Sifson] and Sandy [Gib] were badly wounded. Another of his comrades was hit in the eye with buckshot and will likely lose that eye. Wishes the recipient could have seen the carnage of the battleground. He "never saw such a sight." Remembers a tree that he saw destroyed when it was hit by something, presumably a shell, during the battle. There have been celebrations of the victory at Gettysburg; thinks "everything is in our favor."
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