Bell, Grove L., 1844-1863 to home friends

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GLC#
GLC08913.12-View header record
Type
Letters
Date
6 July 1863
Author/Creator
Bell, Grove L., 1844-1863
Title
to home friends
Place Written
Littlestown, Pennsylvania
Pagination
4 p. : Height: 20.3 cm, Width: 25.6 cm
Primary time period
Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861-1877
Sub-Era
The American Civil War

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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