September 2013 Auction Ends Thursday, September 26th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/26/2013
Autograph letter signed by Corp. Francis Long of the 16th Vermont Infantry, sent from a ''Camp near Gettysburg Pa'', dated Thursday July 2nd 1863''. Long's letter reads in full, ''Dear Wife, I will try and write you a few lines this morning not knowing whether it will ever reach you. We have been on the march now for a week and got here last night. There was fighting here yesterday and as the Rebels are near here there will probably be fighting untill they retreat or are conquered. Our Regt is now drawn up in line of Battle and skirmishing is going on in front of us. I will not attempt to write much as I may have to start any minute and a few words will be better than nothing. We have a large force here now and we are bound to give them all they will want today. I am feeling well and in good spirits this morning and I hope you will have good courage and not worry about me till you hear from me again. For now I will do and suffer everything, and I hope in the good providence of God I shall see you soon. I should be glad to write you a long letter, but I have so little time that I cannot do it and I think it of more consequence to spend what little time I have to taking care of my health than any thing else. There is by no means any certainty that I shall have to go into battle at all but if any thing should happen to me you will have the satisfaction of knowing that my heart is with you to the last and that in all things I am well pleased and satisfied with you. You must excuse this as there is so much noise and excitement that it is almost impossible for me to write. It is a grand sight to see so large an army as we have here and more are coming every minute. We are well prepared to meet the Rascals and I hope that none of them will escape. I have done faithfully my duty so far and I shall not back out now, and I hope it will never be said of me that I did not do my duty. With much love and trusting in god for the best I am your loving Husband F Long''. The 16th Vermont continued to Pickett's Charge the next day, on 3 July. Corp. Long survived and was mustered out in August. 4pp. letter on a single sheet of ruled card style stationery measures 5'' x 8''. Toning, fading to text and some faint staining, else near fine.
Gettysburg Civil War Letter from Corp. Francis Long of the 16th Vermont Infantry -- Dated 2 July 1863, The Day Before Pickett's Charge -- ''...skirmishing is going on in front of us...''
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