Civil War Gettysburg Battle Letter(s) & CDV Photo of Union Cavalry Soldier

Civil War Gettysburg Battle Letters & CDV Photo of Union Cavalry Soldier are all original and fresh from the estate of the. We are still digging through this estate and may find related items so please keep checking back.

Co C 1st Cal Regt, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 2nd Army Corps. An Archive of John H. Simmons a resident of Kennett Square, Chester County, Penn.

This archive is straight from the family.. It consist of (6) letters and a End of war sentiment with (3) covers and (6) letter with Corps Flag stationary with (2) matching covers, Nicely cancelled.

There are (3) clips of stationary that Simmons made notes on and also copied his mailing address so he could receive letters are all from John Simmons to his family and mostly to his aunt. There are included several translation of the letters as the family transcribed them over the past century. The CDV Photo has Simmons in uniform.

Below are Partial transcripts of his letters. Some are not complete transcripts Just the highlights including a First Hand Eye Witness Account of the Battle of Gettysburg! Gettysburg Letter written September 21st 1863 as is most letters by soldiers after the battle when time permitted.. Simmons unit was busy chasing The Retreating Rebel Army after the Battle of Gettysburg. Written on Corps Flag Stationary with Corps Flag Cover the cancellation is dated Sep.

I would long to be with them once more, but god alone knows wether I will be spared that pleasure. I have passed through many hair breadth escapes, trials and hardships, since I left you, and I pray God I may never have to pass through simeral trials and scenes!

We are now camped in the woods close to the Rapidan River, and are on Picket Duty every other day. The Rebs are on the opposite side behind their entrenchments and the moment we show our heads above our earth works which we throwd up at night to shield us they fire upon us, how long we will lay here non of us can tell, we are ordered to keep eight days of rations in our knapsacks constantly, ready for a move at a moments notice. The 2nd Corps is the only Corps on the front, Our Division & Brigade are on the extreme right, the 2nd our Division at one time numbered fourteen thousand men now less than four thousand, the second Brigade is Gen. Bakers Old Brigade, and numbered five thousand men but its ranks are now reduced to Nine hundred, so you can see what sad havock this cruel war has made in its ranks. Our loss was very severe at Gettysburg , Pa.

Speaking of Gettysburg - it was one of the hardest fought Battles that has been fought during this or any other war of modern times. We lay under the Shelling of one hundred & fifteen pieces of Artillery of the Rebs of two hours and a half, The most terrific Canonading that mortal men ever listend. So it was awfull to hear the roar of Artillery, and bursting of shells and to see men and poor horses torn to pieces, All the time the shelling we lay close to the ground. After they ceased firing, There infantry advanced in three battle lines from the woods opposite us, on they come in beautiful order- I must say it was a beautiful sight, to see three columns - over a mile in length advance across an open field, On they came until they got within muskett range then we opened our fire on them, It was awful to see them fall, but there ranks would be closed up as fast as there comrads were shot down.

Still they advanced up to our battle line, but very few of them ever went back, they were either killd, wounded or taken prisoner, but when I looked over the ground there lay hundreds of our poor comrads dead & wounded! I hope to god I may never see another battlefield like it. My dear Aunt I trust you will forgive me for not writing before this, I have no very good excuse, altho we are constantly on the move.

I shall promise better for the future, tell some of the girls I want them to write to me, and I will.... The letter opens with catching up on family and friends update. We are now in winter quarters mentions friends and asking for food to be sent. Letter with Corps Flag Stationary in a letter dated cover. Received a long awaited box with food and provisions and very happy with its contents.

Today is intensely cold, We are located on a range of mountains, and about 7 or 8 miles from us in full view, are another range of mountains much higher than the ones we are on, they are covered with snow....... You have no idea what the soldiers have to endure. Letter in Corps Flag Cover with a Jan. Aunt Sallie I must explain the meaning of the flag on the heading of the note paper.

It is the Battle Flag of our Brigade, Each corps has a differant mark. For instance one a cross, one a diamond, one a club, or tree foil..

May god spare me and them to meet again... Letter on Corps Flag Stationary. Ordered to Philadelphia for recruiting Service... There is a detachment of men from each Regiment in our Brigade home for recruiting... A Period Note and Sentiment written about the the surrender of the South.

Died, Near the southside Railroad on Sunday April 9th 1865. The Southern Confederacy, aged four years, Conceived in sin, born in iniguity, nurtured by tyranny, died of a chronic attack punch. Gentle Stranger drop a tear. Lies buried here; In youth it lived and prospered well.

But like Lucifer it fell. It body here, Its soul in ---- well, Een if I knew I wouldnt tell, Rest C.

From every strife, and this one line shall grace your grave, Your death gave freedom to the Slave. On the opposite side of the above sentiment Reads a Captured Sentiment. In the prison cell I sit. Thinking, mother dear, of you.

And our bright and happy home so far away. And the tears they fill my eyes.

Spite of all that I can do. Tho, I try to to cheer my comrades, and be gay. And beneath the starry flag. We shall breath the air again of the free land in our own beloved home.

In the battle front we stood. When their fiercest charge they made and they swept us off, a hundred men or more. But before they reached our lines. They were beaten back dismayed.

And we heard the cry of victory oer and oer. So, within the prison cell. We are waiting for the day. That shall come to open wide the iron door and the hollow eye grows bright, and thepoor heart almost gay, as we think of seeing home & friends once more.

Norristown October 25 1865 written by Adam Knudler. The item "Civil War Gettysburg Battle Letter(s) & CDV Photo of Union Cavalry Soldier" is in sale since Sunday, November 20, 2016.

This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\Civil War (1861-65)\Original Period Items\Photographs". The seller is "sellinghistory" and is located in Barrington, Rhode Island.

This item can be shipped worldwide.

Country/Region of Manufacture: United States