LETTER DATED GETTYSBURG, JUNE 1864 - ALS FROM ALEXANDER AGNEW TO HIS BROTHER – ACCOUNT OF GUIDED BATTLEFIELD TOUR

LETTER DATED GETTYSBURG, JUNE 1864 - ALS FROM ALEXANDER AGNEW TO HIS BROTHER – ACCOUNT OF GUIDED BATTLEFIELD TOUR

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AGNEW, Alexander McLeod. Autograph Letter Signed ("Alexander"), to his brother. Gettysburg, Pa., 23 June 1864. 4 pp. on a single folded bifolium of embossed letter paper, brown ink in a fine cursive hand. With the original printed compliments slip ("With Compliments of Alexander McLeod Agnew") and a return-address envelope (266 Madison Avenue, New York). Old folds, light toning and scattered foxing, a few small spots; envelope worn with edge tears and an ink smudge. Overall very good and fully legible. (Note: the dealer label dates the item 6/24/1864; the letter is internally dated the 23rd.)

A vivid eyewitness account of a guided battlefield tour of Gettysburg, written on the ground less than a year after the engagement. Touring with a local civilian guide who had witnessed the battle, Agnew most memorably counts sixty-seven bullet marks on a single rock "not more than 12 feet square," and describes the trees "fearfully scarred" up their trunks — "not here & there a tree — but every tree." He recounts the assault on the Union right at Culp's Hill, the reinforcement by Sykes' men, the failed attempt to break the center, and Longstreet's vain effort to take Round Top, ending in Lee's retreat. He calls the site the Union's "field of Waterloo."

The following is a complete page-by-page transcription is as follows:

(Faithful to original spelling, capitalization, and abbreviations.)

[Page 1]

Gettysburgh 23rd June 1864

My dear Brother,

I arrived here this morning at 11 oc from Harrisburgh, where I passed the night. Very soon after my arrival I started for the Battlefield in charge of a very intelligent guide, a Citizen, who viewed the Battle & has informed himself upon all the various objects & of localities — forces engaged, where posted &c. Having therefore viewed the ground held by our own forces & also by the Rebels, I have a much better understanding of the dreadful fighting & a higher appreciation than ever before of the great bravery of our men and of the skill with which they were guided to Victory — I cannot attempt any description of the field

[Page 2]

except to say that our forces occupied the most advantageous positions, or we never could otherwise have gained the day — opposed as we were by an army greatly outnumbering ours to 200,000 men — The attack made upon our Right Flank & Right Centre was terrific. The Charges were made through a belt of woods in a Ravine, at the Eastern Slope of Culp’s Hill. To give you an idea of the Sanguinary conflict, I will state that upon a rock not more than 12 feet square I counted 67 Bullett marks — the trees are fearfully scarred, far up their trunks; not here & there a tree — but every tree. The Rebels attempted to turn the Right Flank under the deadly fire of our men posted behind works hastily thrown up along the crest of Culp’s hill — the Rebels forced their way to our second line

[Page 3]

of our works which extended across the ravine on rising ground — when Sykes’ men advanced to reinforce ours & drove the Rebels completely back & beyond their original position. The following day they attempted to break our centre but failed, & following day, Friday, the fighting was general along the whole line. Longstreet massing his forces against our Left & Left Centre, endeavoring in vain to secure Round Top hill — they were driven back & the assault was followed by the retreat of Lee’s Army, contrary to his expectation — for all the Rebel officers expressed great confidence in their ability to stay here & subsequently to move on Baltimore — this was our next move. & we can now visit our field of Waterloo — & point out the back

[Page 4]

door by which the enemy escaped.

I purpose to leave this tomorrow morning — but have not decided which track I will take — my course will depend something upon the weather — which now is very sultry & appearances of rain, now very much needed — the whole country is dried & parched, all crops are suffering. My thoughts are often with you in your quiet home. Give my love to your wife & family — also to Mother — Gifford — to sister & her family — if at home — I hope all are well. During my stay in Philda, my hand bothered me exceedingly which made me prolong my stay there. I would advise you by telegraph of my movements — God night — affectionately

Your Brother

 

Alexander

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