Leather bound autograph manuscript signed. Gottshall returns to the Army after being wounded in the arm by a cannonball. Throughout the early months Gottshall sees little action and he discusses his recovery and soldiering in the winter. In [13-15] February he reports an insurrection taking place in which a regiment refused to do picket duty due to the location of their camp and the cold weather. Writes of another incidence that took place on 1 July where he was defending the baggage and supply train from Confederates, 2 miles from Hanover, Pennsylvania. Also discusses [Confederate commander John S.] Mosby's raid, the Battle of Gettysburg, and numerous skirmishes.

Mentions Mosby's raid on 9 March 1863 in which the rebels capture General [Edwin] Stoughton, as follows "the rebble cavilry mate a rade on fairfax and cabtured General Stocum and some of his staff and some of his Horses this raised a grate excitement in camp our cavilry men went on pursute of the rebbles...[sic] "

Reports on 1 July 1863 that "a heavy battle took place at Getyes burg General rannels reported killed." He notes [2 July 1863] "...the wagon trains are passing freely troops are marching continuely toward Getys burg the battle stil in progress at Getysville..." On 3 July he writes "the battle renewed at en early hour this morning we stil remain at west minster for orders to move with the Generals Head quarters... reglars arrived at this town from the battle field after being disabled at .8. A.m 300 priconers arrived at this place .1 p.m an other squat of rebbel priconers been brought to this town all together amounting to 1,500 arrived at west minster to day." He continues on 4 July writing, "the battle is still going on at a drementious [tremendous] rate rebbel priconers brought to west minster to day 2,300." Following the Confederates through Maryland, he notes that a spy was captured and hung, confirming that he was involved in numerous dangerous skirmishes in the aftermath of that campaign. On 29 August, the regiment was turned out to see some deserters shot. Writes, "they been shot in the presence of the whole corps." The Battle of Gettysburg was fought from 1 July to 3 July 1863 and resulted in a Union victory.

Descriptions for the fall and winter are mostly of camp life with occasional mention of confrontations with the rebels. In one action, writes on 12 October "we all drawedd up in line of battle on the South side of the Rabahannock [Rappahannock] .4. P.m we atvansed in line of battle as far as brandy station to whare we remained til .11. P.m then moved to the river crossed the Rabahannock... [13 October] we left rabahannock Station at [.4.] A.m we marched to batled station 20. miles to whare we incamped for the knight the rebbels are following us up perty clot an this retread [sic] ...[14 October we left for manasses Junction at .1. P.m heavy [canantey] on our right and reare 3. P.m the rebbels commences sheling the [illegible]th army corps we moved out of range of the enemys fire then we formed a line of battle we drawed thm in so the .2.nd army Corps giv them a good wiping... [sic]" He was also engagemed on 27 November where "we relieved the Cavalry on the field of battle…the battle seased we stil remain on the skirmising line 4.1/2 the rebbels tryd to break our left but was driving back by our skirmises..."