A great pencil letter by Pvt. William A. Newhall, 6pp. 8vo., Westchester, Pa., July 8, 1863 concerning his capture at Gettysburg.  Newhall enlisted two years earlier in the 13^th Mass.  Volunteers and fought with that regiment until he was captured on the first day’s battle.  An intriguing letter dealing with prisoner exchange during the Gettysburg campaign and although not signed using his full name, the document was decidedly written by him with notation identifying him as the writer.  Slight toning with some fold separation and minor foxing affecting two words of text on last page, else very good.

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Transcription of letter:

Camp West Chester Penn.

July 8^th, 1863

Dear Sister,

                I will try to write you a few lines to let you know that I am still alive and well and I hope this will find you enjoying the same blessing.  I suppose that you have heard of the Battle of Gettysburg.  Our Regiment was engaged the first day and hard fighting it was too but we didn’t have many men in the fight to what we have had.  Our Regiment fought them about seven hours and then got surrounded and one hundred and four I think was taken prisoners.  I amongst the rest busted we was taken to the rear of the Rebel army and kept there under guard 4 days and then we was sent off on parole to our lines.  At the time I was taken, there was 27 hundred more of our Corps taken but while we was prisoners we was used very well, except we didn’t have much to eat.  All we had was one pound and 1/8 of flour and a small piece of pork given us but otherwise he was treated well.  Some of the men that was taken went to Richmond.  We had our choice to go to Carlile or Richmond- about half of us chose to go to Carlile to our likes I guess by this time the rest wished that they had come with us.  Some thought that the parole was not good but we run the risk and I guess that we are all right after we got to our lines then sent us to Harrisburg and from there to West Chester where we are now encamped we have had the privilege to go around the countryside above us as we wanted to.  But some of the boys have got drunk and raised the dead.  And all the rest of us have got to be frustrated for it.  By putting on again so that we can go into town.  It is the prettiest town and the best folks that I have ever seen.  It seems like home.  The girls are as thick as bees and do all they can for the wounded man.  I was asked to write home the night I came into town.  When I saw 2 or 3 girls playing on a piano.  I told them I didn’t look fit to enter any house but they told me not to mind that I was a soldier and must come in.  I did so and come to find out I was in one of the richest mans house that was in town.  One of the girls sat down and played and the other sang.  After they got through singing they went to talking about the war.  I had one of the sixteenth Mass. boys with me and I tell you I never passed an evening so pleasant in my life.  One of the girls is the prettiest girl I ever saw in my life.  If I ever get through this war I shall come out here and see the folks.  I tell you  the girls think a great deal of a soldier.

                I suppose that I should see no more fighting till I am exchanged.  I should like to stay here until they trade us out I wrote to Miriam yesterday and told her to send me $10 but for I want to get some things here.  I lost some stuff and I want some with me.  I cant write much more this time for there is such a news I can write.  We had eighty men killed and wounded beside those taken prisoners so our regiment is about played out.  Captain Pierce is wounded in the knee.  I don’t know how bad.  I think he was taken prisoner afterwards.

                I had my right hand man killed at the first volley, his name is George Atkinson of Marlboro.  I cant write any more this time so you must excuse most thoughts were wrote not if in that was for letting you know that I was alright so I must bid your goodbye.  Give my love to all and tell them I am well.  Please direct your letter to West Chester, Chester    Country, Penn.

I have no more.  Please write as soon as you get this from your ever wise Brother Bill