2024-01 Raynors Americana Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/20/2024
A Union 4pp letter written on 'War Department, Provost Marshal General's Office Washington DC' letterhead with original cover. Jones writes his sister in Minnesota, August 2, 1863. In large part; "I suppose you heard long before this how the boys came out of the Gettysburg fight. I went up there to see about them and found that Harvey had his right arm broken by a bullet by the elbow and he had been sent off to some hospital ... I saw some awful sights on the Battle Field. The dead had been mostly gathered up and buried, but they were buried so very shallow that the rains had washed some of them partly out of the ground. I saw one body that has been covered up on top of the ground with boards, dirt and stones, the head and feet stuck out making a spectacle that would interfere with one's appetite of eating lunch. When I was on my to the '3rd Corps' Hospital...I passed a barn where the surgeons were amputating. They had their sleeves rolled up and their hands and arms were all bloody, and they looked like a lot of butchers. They had a man on a rough board on two barrels and were just finishing the operation. After the leg was taken off, they threw it down unto the wet barnyard just as if it were a leg of a sheep. I left the barn and went around one side of it. There were alot of Rebel prisoners digging a trench, and by the side of the trench piled up in every imaginable position was a great pile of dead Rebels and in another pile was a lot of arms and legs.. .. Alonzo Barnsworth (Co. B, 141st PA) was wounded through the calf of the leg. Amasa Wood (Co. B, 141st PA), Abner's son was instantly killed. The ball went through his head and he fell with his head on his hand. Ethiel, Aaron's son (Co. B, 141st PA) had his leg amputated and died from the effects of it. ... to see if I could anything of Harvey (Harvey W. Jones, Co. B, 141st PA). I found him doing well. His arm is in good condition and no longer in danger of amputation. ... Henry writes me that Harvey is noted for coolness in battle, stands up and loads his gun and fires just as would swing an axe, cutting of a log. ... Being in the Army has given him a manly look and aim . ... You have heard of course of the great riots in New York Lysander was walking along the streets one evening when he was shot in the abdomen ... He was lingering until now and the Doctor said, if he continued as well for three more days, he would be out of danger ...."
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