“THEY HAD THEIR SLEEVES ROLLED UP AND THEIR HANDS AND ARMS WERE ALL BLOODY, AND LOOKED LIKE A LOT OF BUTCHERS.” -A 3rd Corps Hospital description at Gettysburg
4-page letter with cover written by E. L. Jones, a soldier in the Provost Marshall’s Office of the War Department in Washington, D. C. Written one month after the battle, Jones writes some personal commentary on the Battle of Gettysburg. He makes a visit to the Battlefield, records what he saw regarding amputations, burials, a 3rd Corps Hospital, Rebel Prisoners and Rebel Burials, names a few soldiers he knew who were wounded and killed at Gettysburg from the 141st PA Vols. (3rd Corps, Birney’s Division, whose monument is in the Peach Orchard), NYC Draft Riots, his visit to a Philadelphia Hospital searching for a wounded soldier, and more. Jones was most likely from Bradford County, as he lists the names of 4 soldiers killed or wounded at Gettysburg from there. The 141st PA was recruited from the counties of Bradford, Susquehanna, and Wayne. A great Gettysburg letter, all in all.
Washington, D. C.
Aug. 2nd, 1863
My Dear Sister,
I am perfectly ashamed of myself that I haven’t written to you before, but I get so tired of writing when night comes after sitting at my desk writing all day that it don’t seem possible to make another shake with the pen. Often I can’t get through with my work in the daytime and have to go around in the evening to the office. I have written two or three letters to you since I have written to Fanny, and they are all the while complaining at home that I don’t write.
I suppose you have 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 near the elbow, and he had been sent off to some Hospital, nobody knew where. Henry had gone on with the Regiment, having been promoted to Sergeant Major. He now stands first in line of promotion and will receive a Lieutenant’s commission as soon as the Conscripts come in, and then, if he is not disabled, he will have an opportunity to rise rather more rapidly than heretofore.
I saw some awful sights on the Battle Field, I tell you. 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 had been covered up on top of the ground with boards, dirt and stones, the head and feet stuck out making a spectacle that would somewhat interfere with one’s appetite of eating lunch at the time. When I was on my way to the “3rd Corps” Hospital to hear of the Boys, I passed a barn where the surgeons were amputating. They had their sleeves rolled up and their hands and arms were all bloody, and 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 into the wet barnyard just as if it had been the leg of a sheep. I left the barn and went around one side of it. There were a lot 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 Bosworth (Joshua A. Bosworth, “B” Co. 141st PA Infantry), was wounded through the calf of the leg. Amasa Wood (Co. “B” 141st PA), Abner’s son Lydia’s brother was instantly killed. The ball went through his head and he fell with his head on his hand. Ethiel Wood, Aaron’s son (Co. “B” 141st PA) had his leg amputated and died from the effects of it. I came back to Baltimore, and then went on to Philadelphia to see if I could find anything of Harvey (Harvey W. Jones, Co. “B” 141st PA). There I found him doing well. His arm is in good condition and no danger of amputation. He will get a furlough to go home this week probably. He expected one last week. Dalton goes to Pike this week, starts Friday. Miss Kate Maurer goes to Pike with him. I wish you were going to be there. She has taken a great liking to you. I expect things will look like the “old boy” around home, but they are trying to make some improvements putting a wall in front, etc.
Henry writes me that Harvey is noted for his coolness in battle, stands up and loads his gun and fires just as he would swing an axe, cutting off a log. He lost some blood of course by his wound which has bleached him out and he is a right handsome looking fellow. Being in the Army has given him a manly look and aim. He says he don’t like the “grub” at the Hospital and would rather be in the field.
You have heard of course of the great riots in New York. Lysander was walking along the streets one night or evening when he was shot through the abdomen. The surgeons all pronounced the wound mortal and told him to attend his worldly affairs without delay, not even giving him the night to do it in. He has lingered along until now and the Doctor said day before yesterday, if he continued as well three more days, he would pronounce him out of danger. It is really wonderful that he can possible live with such a wound.
The last I heard from home, they were all well. Garry Briggs had the Typhoid Fever. I saw Levi at Gettysburg. He is Capt. of a Company in the 36th Regt. PA Militia, which is now doing Provost Duty at Gettysburg. How is your health this hot weather? Or don’t you have it hot in Minnesota? It is awfully hot here, and the mosquitoes are enough to drive a person distracted. My sheet is full and I must stop. Direct your letters to “Provost Marshall General’s Office” and write soon.
Affectionately your Brother,
E. L. Jones
#L8-2-63PA – Price $2,495
