Ithaca, July 27^th '63

 

 Mr L. S. Palmer

           

Respected Sir

                                    Your letter of July 9^th containing the photographs of my husband, myself, and the most intimate friend of my son, was rec'd in due season, and the heartfelt sympathy which prompted a stranger to take so deep an interest in a fellow soldier and clergyman's son, would have been acknowledged and responded to long ere this, had I not waited to hear farther particulars of my son.

 

There probably never was a time since the war of the Revolution when as much sympathy was manifested for suffering humanity as now; and I am happy to know that though the young, the refined, and the educated have left their homes many of them for the first time and mingled with those who were unrefined / uneducated, and accustomed to hardships, amid the hazards and temptations of army life, they have still maintained their integrity and preserved untarnished the heart's best affections

 

            Allow me to say this sympathy does honor to your heart, and if I mistake not, to parental training

 

            The individual sacrifices which our brothers and sons have made for their country, and their unflinching bravery in the hour of deadly conflict, may never grace the historic page, but were it permitted to do justice to the heroes in the ranks and in subordinate offices, as well as among the chiefs of the army, many names now overlooked, would shine with an unfading lustre, and reflect enduring honor upon our nation.

 

            Our son joined the army nearly a year ago, and with many others from this place joined Col Ireland's Regiment, which after drilling some four weeks at Binghamton was ordered to Maryland, and thence to various places in Virginia, where the greater part of the winter was spent, and after enduring the summer's heat and winter's cold, and losing / nearly half its numbers by sickness, death, and desertion at length participated in the battle of Chancellorsville from which he escaped unhurt; but after marching some twenty consecutive days, and going immediately into action, he was nearly exhausted when he was wounded in the right arm at the battle of Gettysburg. He walked some three miles to find a surgeon to extract the ball, and was then placed in the 12^th Corps hospital, extemporized for the occasion, where he remained several days until he was sent to the U.S. General Hospital West Philadelphia where he now is. His wound is doing extremely well, and he hopes soon to obtain a furlough or leave of absence and look upon the faces of loved ones at home.

 

Should he fail to obtain one, and be transferred to a N York hospital, frail as my health is, I shall try to visit him there—like yourself he appreciates letters from home. That this unholy war may soon be ended, and both of you be permitted to return in peace and safety to your cherished homes, is the earnest prayer of

                                                                                               

A devoted Mother

Laura S. Bixby 

 

The Knapsack or its contents, you may forward to us here by express, and we will pay the expressage when it arrives, if it will not give you too much trouble

                                                                                               

Respectfully    L.S.B.

 

Again in my son's name, allow me to thank you for your sympathy and kindness, and to hope that you may be permitted to meet at some future time

 

 

Dear Brother

                        This letter I received about a week ago. I picked up a soldiers roll on the battlefield of Gettysburg and found a three photographs & several minor things. I sent the photographs to Rev. Mr Bixby of Ithaca N.Y. & this is the ans. I found several letters in the roll & knew who it belonged to, Chas. W. Bixby Serg^t Co D 137 N.Y. Vols. Col Irelands Regt this is not the 1^st time I have sent things to those they belong

 

[margin]

 

shall send the roll either by express or mail

SOURCES