Augusta County: Samuel Franklin Carson to Annie
Harris, July 6, 1863
Summary:
Samuel Carson describes his inability to return to the army after his furlough
because the Yankees are in his way. He then recounts what he has heard about the
Battle of Gettysburg, which took place just a few days before.
Monday evening July 6th, 1863
Martinsburg
My Dear Annie,
As I am here doing nothing, & can't get to the army, I will employ a few
moments this evening in writing to you. I will give you a brief history of my
trip to this place. I left Staunton on Tuesday morning after I left home in
Company with Lieutenant Wilson & several
other soldiers for Winchester. We had quite an interesting trip, had the company
of two very nice ladies, one of them however I am sorry to say was a married
lady. We arrived at Winchester on the next evening hired a four horse coach for
Martinsburg where we arrived Thursday evening, from this point we had to take it
afoot. On Firday morning Lieutenant Wilson & myself in company with Captain Wharton of the 55th
Virginia set sail for the Army, crossing the Potomack at
Williams Port, we went two miles into Maryland & stayed all night with a
nice old fellow, good
cecist
too by the way.- Saturday morning we started on expecting to get as far as
[unclear: Green] Castle Pennsylvania,
but we had not proceeded very far on our way before we heard that the Yankees had made a raid into the town, however we
proceed on our way thinking we might be able to get through without much
difficulty. We stopped on the road side to rest & were laying down
napping, when all at once we were startles by the noise of some cavalry riding
down the road at full speed hollering the Yankees are coming! I tell you [added: we] got up & left there in double quick time. We
fell back a short distance and made a stand but the Yankees did not come on. Thinking that "prudence was the better part of
valor" we came back to this place, there being no chance of get through. We will
remain here until the way is open to the army before
we try it again. We have had another big fight at Gettysburg
Pennsylvania. Our loss is very heavy indeed, lost a
great many
[page 2]
officers.- none of our commanding Generals were wounded that we have heard of. General
Ewell was shot through his
wooden leg, also had his horse shot from under him. Our Brigade suffered
severely. Our Company I am told lost a great many wounded & one killed,
but cant find out any of the particulars - but one or two of the wounded from
our Regiment has gotten up yet. The enemy's
[unclear: loss] is said to be very heavy indeed. They lost two Major
Generals, several Brigadiers, & a good
many Colonels. We captured about 13,000 prisoners
& there has been a rumor here to day that General Lee had whipped the enemy badly on yesterday & that he had
taken 40,000 prisoners this however needs confirmation. I must bring this to a
close for the present. The news we get is so conflicting that it is hardly to be
relied on Consequently I wont give you any more
I hope by the next time I
write you I can give you all the particulars.
yours affectionately,
Sam F. Carson
Please dont show this to any one but burn it when read if you please
