July 19—1910

 

Luther W. Hopkins Esq.

Balto Md

 

My dear Sir

            Yrs to hand and may be you are a kinsman of my old friends Louis and Joe Hopkins.

 

            If my memory is correct I think I heard my father say that Gen^l Lewis Addison Armistead died on the morning of 5^th July (fifth July)

 

            Gen^l Lewis Addison Armistead's father and my grandfather Col George Armistead were brothers.

 

            The latter Col Geo Armistead was you may remember the Commander at and defender of Fort M^cHenry Balto Md, and it was his gallant / defense of Fort M^cHenry which inspired the patriot poet Francis Scott Key write our national anthem The Star Spangled Banner.

 

Upon the death of Gen Lewis Addison Armistead my father C Hughes Armistead, had his remains brought to Baltimore, and saw the remains placed in our family vault just along side of the remains of Col George Armistead.

 

            The remains of both of these gallant soldiers repose in our vault in the old St Paul grave yard.

 

            Genl Lewis Addison Armistead when he fell the furthest man forward at Gettsburg, was removed to a field hospital, lingered thro' the 4 July and died on morning of 5 July.

 

            I feel quite sure of this if my memory serves me right from what my father told me, when I returned from the South /

 

The remains of Gen^l Lewis Addison Armistead were forwarded by rail to Balto rece'd by him my father at Calvert Station and he looked upon his kinsman there for the last time. I know this

 

            Our vault at St Paul Churchyard is underground vault half way up the walk as you enter from Lombard St is marked by large granite stone flat stone carved on this stone is the name of Col George Armistead.

 

            I will write you further as soon as I receive some data from a kinsman. I wish you success with your book. put me down for 3 books.

 

                                                Yours sincerely

                                                            George Armistead

SOURCES