Originally part of a large archive of letters, both during and post-Civil War, diaries, photos, and other documents. 2 pages, 7 1/2 x 9 3/4, in ink, written by William H. Mickle, to his fiancee, Oleavia [Olivia] Ploss.

Text as follows:

Head Quarters Artillery, 11th Corps, Hagerstown, Md., July 13th, 1863 My Dear Oleavia, Doubtless during the many rumors of our movements you are very anxious to ascertain whether your William is among the dead or suffering. I am happy to inform you that I never was more happy in my military career nor enjoyed better health. I am now Acting Assistant Adjutant General on Maj. Osborn's staff who is Chief of Artillery of the 11th Corps. I do not have to trudge along on foot & lug a load, but will ride on horseback & have all my baggage carried in an ambulance. We have crowded the Rebs until we have them in close quarters, one wing of their forces resting on Antietam Creek & the other on the Potomac. If we whip them here which I think we shall do, they will be entirely demoralized. O! that they would yield without more bloodshed!! Keep on praying for me & God helping me I shall see you again in the flesh. I hope this will find you well. How I long to see you. We have been moving for a month & have accomplished more in that time than ever before since the Rebellion. Our Cavalry & Flying Artillery have been harrassing the flank & rear of the Rebs ever since the battle of Gettysburg, Pa. & have captured many prisoners & wagon trains & artillery. I understand that the enemy have a good quantity of infantry ammunition but not much artillery. If so we can play on them from a distance with our heavy guns & scatter death & terror through their thinned ranks. I cannot say positively, but I was informed this morning that we had 15,000 troops on the other side of the Potomac hindering Lee from constructing bridges across. If so we will starve him out!! but it is almost too good to be true. When you hear from me again we will either have conquered Lee or else been most unmercifully thrashed ourselves. Hope for the best. The day of peace begins to dawn. I have not heard from home nor friends in a long time. Write soon & remember me to all. Much love to you my dearest & may God be with & bless you bountifully is my prayer. Your afft. & devoted friend & lover, William. Excellent Gettysburg letter!

William H. Mickle, was a 23 year old resident of Marianville, Schenectady County, N.Y., when he enlisted on 8/22/62, as a private, and was mustered into Co. H, 134th New York Infantry. He was promoted to sergeant, 9/22/62; 2nd Lieutenant, 4/1/63; wounded during the battle of Gettysburg; acting assistant adjutant general to the chief of artillery, 11th Corps; discharged on 6/9/65. No details of his wound have been uncovered; it seems it must have been fairly minor, though he did file for an invalid pension, and his wife for a widow’s pension after his death.

After the war Mickle was awarded a brevet promotion to Captain for faithful and distinguished services and for gallantry and devotion. An educated man, a Methodist Episcopal minister after the war, Mickle wrote home regularly to his fiancée and several family members. His letters are written in a graceful and fluid style that reflects his intellect and insight and his increasing commitment to the Union cause and to the President. His first experience in combat was at Chancellorsville, and by the time of Gettysburg he had attracted the attention of his superiors for his abilities as a soldier.

Following the war Mickle was active in the GAR and other veteran’s organizations, and gave lectures on such topics as the Atlanta Campaign and the March to the Sea, the assault on Mission Ridge, and Gettysburg.

Mickle died on August 7, 1922 in Fishkill, NY and is buried in Fishkill Rural Cemetery .

Fantastic letter accompanied by a brief amount of research material; a copy of a CDV of Mickle in civilian dress.  [ld]

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