Description:

Battle of Gettysburg
Wilmington, DE, July 8, 1863
Great Gettysburg Battle Letter of Wounded Soldier "we captured 6 stand of Rebel colors"
Letter

Three pages of a lined bifolium; 5" x 8"; "Tilton Hospital / Wilmington Del."; July 8, 1863. Writing five days after the Battle of Gettysburg, John W. Barney sends news home that he has survived the fighting, but is badly wounded. Barney was a sergeant major in the 1st Delaware Infantry, which fought along Cemetery Ridge. They were one of the most severely battered Union regiments at Gettysburg, which Barney relays. Flattened mail folds and scattered foxing. Recipient's filing docket on the fourth page.

In full:

"Mrs. Ann Jones

I am happy to inform you that I am yet alive, though pretty badly wounded. I arrived here last night from Baltimore. I left the Battlefield of Gettysburg last Sunday. I was in the fight three days, and in twice one day. It was on Friday the 3rd Day of July that I was wounded. Our Regiment was cut up very much. We only have 60 men and 4 officers left. But I am happy to inform you that we killed and wounded nearly all of them that were in front of us, and what we did not kill or wound, we took prisoners. Our Regiment has crowned herself with glory. We captured 6 stand of Rebel colors, a Major General & his staff. The General's name was Barksdale. It was the hardest fought Battle we have ever yet been in. I must now soon cease writing for the present. There is a gentleman here to see me today from Norfolk. He was once a Lieutenant in our Regiment, and it is by him I send this letter. His name is Oats. Sergt. Knox is wounded and is here with me. Knox is wounded in the right leg, and I am wounded in the left hip and breast. Please write soon and direct to Ward ‘E' Tilton Hospital, Wilmington, Del. & please send me Eva's & Richard's picture like the one you sent Knox. Tell Miss Reed I am wounded very bad, but if I live to get over it, I am going back again and try the Rebel's another pop. We made them sorry for invading Pennsylvania. The Battle that I was wounded in was Gettysburg, Adams County, Pennsylvania. Give my best respects to Mr. Jones & Simon and all the family and to Miss Reed, of course.

Yours Very Respectfully
J. W. Barney
Sergt. Maj. 1st Del. Vol."

An excellent letter giving an account of the dramatic action along Cemetery Ridge on July 2 when Barksdale's Mississippi brigade launched a powerful assault against Union lines. Although Barney believed Barksdale had been captured, the Confederate general was actually mortally wounded and later died in Union hands. The defeat of Barksdale's brigade helped halt one of the most dangerous Confederate breakthroughs of the battle.

Battle content letters by members of the 1st Delaware Infantry are uncommon given the small number of troops. One with Gettysburg content is especially desirable. (Note: Image is not included. It is identified as John W. Barney in the Civil War Database.)

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 5" x 8"
  • Medium: Letter

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