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RENOWNED NURSE, SALLIE MYERS, FRAMED LETTER TO “MR. RUSSELL” SIX WEEKS POST BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG - You need not thank me for what I have done as it was a privilege for me to do anything for our soldiers and their friends

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Here we have a rarely seen letter written by one of the most well-known Gettysburg nurses in the battle’s history, Sallie Myers. She writes of her recollections giving some vivid details of what happened on those fateful three days at Gettysburg. She also touches on the post-battle hospital situation which gives us a bit more insight into both her personal experiences and how the “hospital system” worked just after the battle. A full transcription of her letter is below.

The letter is written one-sided in period ink on lined paper. The letter is very legible with minimal fading. The pages are a bit discolored from age, but they remain in good condition. The fold lines of the letter are stable as well, and no tears or breaks to the paper are present.

This letter has been mounted and framed by a previous owner. The frame measures 24 ¼ inches in length and 34 inches wide. All parts of the frame are in good condition with minor wear to the corners.

Gettysburg Penn.

Wednesday Aug. 19^th 1863

Mr Russell

Sir- Your letter of the 11^th inst. Received on the 17, and was read with pleasure. The same mail brought me an answer to one of the other letters I had written with yours.

I am very glad indeed that my letter brought comfort to one in distress. It was hurriedly written and I was sorry I lost list of addresses which caused a long delay but I trust the horrible scenes through which we have passed, the suffering which we witnessed and did all in our power to alleviate will be sufficient excuse for my carelessness in losing the list.

We have indeed passed through fiery ordeal and I hope God in mercy will spare us from ever witnessing the like gain. Though, as our brave boys must fight I would rather have them fight among us where when wounded they will receive care from those who love and appreciate them and the glorious cause for which they nobly sacrifice everything near and dear to them.

All the cavalry engaged passed down our street into battle and we sang for them, gave them water and provisions and they cheered loud and long I never heard such hearty cheers in my life. They seemed so lively and confident of success but it made my heart ache to think how many of our noble men would be cold in death ere the shades of night would gather around and close the terrible conflict.

Our infantry who as you are aware were late passed down the same way and part of them passed along the edge of town. They were tired, hungry, and thirsty, and the rain was pouring down for several hours.

I and several other girls stood giving them water for which we received many ahearty God bless you and we felt amply repaid for our trouble. All the day we listened to the terrible shelling and when we heard them we shuddered to think of the dreadful work they made. We were in the cellar in the afternoon of the 1^st until about 6 o’clock. Our men were driven back about 3 o’clock and the confusion was awful. Our kitchen (we were very near the Catholic Church) was used to cook for the wounded by the surgeon of the 143^rd Penn. Vol and his Hospital Steward they had medicine and all kinds of delicacies for wounded men and we were busy until they ordered us to the cellar. When the rebels came into town they came into our house and took what they wanted scattering the rest on the floor. The noise was so great in the entry, back-room and kitchen that we were afraid the floor would break down, and to make it worse a number of the gallant 11^th Corps came crowding into the cellar and nearly suffocated us. At 6 o’clock we were told to come up into the house and oh how glad we were to get into the fresh air I went to the front door and oh, what a sight. Two men and two horses lay dead in our square. They were killed instantly and horrible to tell the rebels cut the head of one of them after he was killed. They would allow no one to go near them and they searched and stripped them and covered them with blankets, and they lay unburried for nearly three days. They would not bury them nor would they allow us to do so. Our house was used as a Hospital from the 2^nd of July until yesterday morning.

We have had in all four teen wounded with us only two of whom have died. The wounded have nearly all been moved to a general Hospital 1 ½ miles from our town. It is an encampment and is a delightful place. I visit it very often.

But I will close as I have written quite enough to tire your patience. As you are at a loss to know whether I bear the title of Miss or Mrs. I will tell you I bear the former and have been a teacher in the Public schools of Gettysburgh for four years. I suppose I would be teaching now but our school house has been used as a hospital and requires repairing and cleaning. Our family have all been sick and I am now ill which account for this poorly written – and worse composed letter.

You need not thank me for what I have done as it was a privilege for me to do anything for our soldiers and their friends.

Yours very respectfully

Sallie Myers

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