July 4^th 63

In the intrenchments in

front of Gettysburg Penn.

           

Dear Parients

                                    Having a fiew liesure moments I write a few lines. We had a hard fought battle of 7½ hours & defeated them. We went to reinforce our left and they came into the breastwork while we were gone. The fight has been going on for four days but we were not engaged all the while John Downing and Charles Gibson were wounded yesterday I and PHG are well so far. The fight has not been renewed this morning yet but may be at any time I cant write half I want to / now I just write to let you know I am well tell Mr Goodrich PHG is all right We had a long and tiresome march here and hard fighting. I am about played out but shall try and hold out until we have a chance to rest. Enclosed is a reb button I cut from an officer who was killed yesterday the ground outside of the works is covered with the dead. Keep it. The boys fought well all the corps the old 12^th did their duty as usual tis a terrible time but things look favorable for us so far. there will terrible fighting yet but hope for the best and I hope all will come out well. / War is a terrible thing and will soon end I hope But I cant write more at present

 

Tell Mr Bell Grove is all right and will write soon—

                                                                       

in haste

Your aff son

Henry

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