With cover addressed to “Mrs. Dr. R. D. Long/ Greensville C.H./ South Carolina”—postmarked “Culpeper C.H./ Jul/23”. Letter dated “Camp Near Culpeper VA/ July 23^rd 1863”. 4 pp., in ink, on unlined paper, 8 x10”. Exhibits fold marks, and has been professionally and neatly laminated, so that its four pages may be read as a 2-page foldout. Slightly yellowed and faded, while remaining easily and entirely legible.

Stephen F. Long was a 30-year-old musician, whose regiment, the 2^nd South Carolina (assigned to Kershaw’s Brigade/ McLaws’ Division/ Longstreet’s Corps, ANV)—was heavily engaged at Gettysburg, on July 2, 1863, as a part of Longstreet’s attack on the Union left flank. His letter, written to his sister-in-law following Lee’s retreat, contains his summary narrative the entire campaign.

Long, born in 1832, died in October 1868 at the young age of 36. He is buried in Springwood Cemetery in Greenville, SC. Stephen’s brother, Dr. Rodolphus D. Long, is buried in the same cemetery, along with his wife, Emily Parker Long, to whom this letter is written.

Text:

Dear sister…Your very kind and welcome letter was received just a day after I send on to Dolph. It reached camp when were within a half mile of Williamsport, MD. And found me almost myself again as I had one day’s rest and a little bit but very little to eat.

No doubt an advance (in June) was anticipated by the people at home as well as by the soldiers in the army. For my part I thought we would make a raid into Maryland and had no idea of visiting the land of Penn. I wrote to you from our bivouac half way between Fredericksburg & Culpeper. Next day marched to Stevensburg 16 miles. Had a hot time getting into camp late at night. Found very little wood and water very scarce. Mr. Pickle came to us that night, next day march 7 miles to Culpeper and camped. Rested Monday and opened the boxes received from home. Had a good time. Monday rec’d orders to march and burn the wagons. Fight expected. Cavalry had allowed themselves surprised and ran off as usual. We had a hurried march of 5 miles. Formed a line of Battle and remained two days. Moved again toward Stevensburg and camped until the 10^th June. Moved back near Culpeper camped a mile and next day took up a line of march to Sperryville 20 miles.

Camped in this place one night. Saw plenty of ladies in the road and any quantity of white hdkfs {handkerchiefs) flying. : from this place we marched to Gaines ____and rested about two hours then marched til night making 21 miles. This was the hottest day of all. The men fell on all sides of the road, being overcome with the heat, some of whom died from sun-stroke. So intense was the heat that the rear guard were ordered no to arrest me who fell behind.

On the 17th we passed through Piedmont country to Ashby’s Gap. This undoubtedly the prettiest valley I ever saw. Fine residences beautiful fields on every side. started up the mountain passe through a town called Paris. Ashby’s Gap goes through “Paris Mountains” Here we found any quantity of live strawberries and attacked them furiously. We met the cavalry here. They had just had a brush with the Yankees and driven them back, for a wonder. Our cavlry have justly gained for themselves the title of “Buttermilk boys” as they usually fall back when provision are scarce or there is support of infantry near.

From this gap we marched two miles to the Shenandoah and here we had a very a very rough time. The river was swollen and swift and it was with difficulty that we could wade it. The water came up nearly to my arm pits. Very few of the men took off a thing but swinging their cartridge boxes on their bayonets went in with a shout. Having crossed we built large fires and having dried off our clothes retired for the night. We remained until the 23rd Junes, and went to Summit Point 20 miles. Here was the first place we got fresh beef to eat since last winter. Several of us made a large kettle of soup and made a hearty supper at half past one; night; Slept til daylight and started for Martinsburg, passing though Smithfield where we were cheered by the ladies.

This day we made20 miles and took up at night. Next day waded the Potomac and landed on Uncle Sam’l territory after a march of 16 miles. It looked strange that in passing the different villages in VA one place would be sucesh and another just the opposite We are now in Maryland start in the direction of Hagerstown, Secesh gets beautifully beautifully less and the old fogy’s faces begin to assume a length out of all proportion compared with on our own people. We begin to see young men with biled shirts on which seemed to make our boys feel like the barbers wife in the Alhambra when they found the gold. “proud to show their rags.”

Reached Middleburg on the Pennsylvania line, gave three rousing cheers for Abe Lincoln and a lady close by remarked “Yes and a rope to hang him. We are now on a turnpike but the mud is awful so we take through wheatfields and clover pastures. Ewell (Second Corps) is way ahead and we begin to meet large wagons and fine teams all captured returning loaded with plunder.

Confederate money below par. Apple butter. Butter chickens cherries currants and in fact everything to eat in great demand. Orders very strict and our camps guarded to keep the men in. Washington’s army was tracked over the ground by the blood on their feet. Ours could be traced by cherry tree boughs chicken feather and empty diaries. Quartermasters and commissaries pressed in the enemies whiskey for themselves instead of clothing etc. for the soldiers.

Passed Greencastle a town larger than Greenville and instead of China trees for amusement they had the cherry tree and every tree had a rebel in it. . Brass band played Dixie, and Bonnie Blue flag. The dogs barked at us and our wagon trains peaked many a chime from the old dutchman sleigh bells as they adorned our mules. The old women squinted by gave any thing had only not to burn down their houses. This shows a guilty conscience on their part and surely they must have taken the rebels for a set of such people as was furnished to their army of marauders. . The rebel army though their advance struck terror to the hearts of every one behaved very well.

Next we went to to Chambersburg a large town. Passed through on Sunday, great many turned to see pass. From here we went to Gettysburg. Where the great battle took place. The papers have given a better account of the fight than I can. Our Brigade suffered heavily losing over 700 [near the Peach Orchard]. The casualties of our company you have doubtless seen before this.

The Yankee papers with their usual lying claim a victory but every day they come out a little more ours. Trust like minds will out. They left their position in front of us first and Genl Lee gave them every chance to attack his demoralized army, but they did not come. So we are here awaiting further developments. To show that we are retreating in haste, we halted at at a gap in the mountains and after letting them shell us for awhile our boys were scattered about picking blackberries as though their was no enemy near. Wofford’s men made a small charge and ran off what Yanks they could find. We then resumed our march giving them every opportunity to attack us. If we were demoralized why did they not attack us and follow up their Victory?

Every issue of their journals shows a greater loss for them than at first represented. We are now in hearing of the R.R. whistle and resting after a march of nearly 400 miles having undoubtedly left the inhabitatants of the invaded country under the strong impression that they will vote for the next president of the United States as an unpromising peace man in spite of wide awake procession abolition speeches and our bayonet threats. They never before felt the war, as they say themselves, and many an old dame is wishing this that the beef of old “Rose or Piet” may choke the rebel that breakfasts on boiled tongue or fried liver as she gazes with dimmed eye on the empty milk pail and the churn that is being used for a water bucket. Well I must go and cook as our rations have just come in. Love to all/ Your devoted brother/ Stephen.”

Superb Gettysburg Campaign “After Action” summary by a musician of Co. “C”, 2^nd South Carolina, Kershaw’s Brigade. Accompanied by internet research material including copies of muster rolls.  [JP/ld]

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