The writer of this letter, William D. Vatchet, from Indianapolis, Indiana, enlisted in Co. D, 20^th Indiana Infantry on July 22, 1861 as a Corporal.  He was promoted to 2^nd Lieut.  Jan. 9, 1862; 1^st Lieut. Aug. 30, 1862, and Capt. Oct. 23, 1863.  He served on the staff of Brig. Gen. J. Hobart Ward in 1863.  Vatchet was mustered out of the service on July 29, 1864. 

Vatchet writes a fine 3 page in ink letter to his friend Captain Charles Reese, who was honorably discharged in October of 1863.  This is an action-filled letter describing the role of the 20^th Indiana (a regiment that played a part in the battle of Gettysburg – see the book, “Harvestfields of Death: The Twentieth Indiana Volunteers of Gettysburg” by Craig L. Dunn).

·        “At daylight on the morning of the 7^th inst. we struck tents near Elizabethtown and marched to Kelly’s
Ford.  Gen French commanded the Left Grand Division consisting of the 1, 2, & 3 Corps.  Gen Birney
commanded the 3 Corps & Gen. Ward our division.”

·        “About noon we reached Mt. Holly Church & then threw forward the 1^st U.S. Sharpshooters supported
by the 20^th Indiana & 40^th New York.  In about 5 minutes we jumped up a few Johnnies.  They were soon
driven back across March Run, where they were reinforced and made a stand.”

·        “The ball now opened rather brisk.  We brought up the 3^rd Brigade to support our advance, also the 1^st
& 2^nd Brigades & Randolph’s Battery, which soon was in position & doing good execution.”

·        “We pushed them strong and Gen. Birney ordered six of those large 30 lb. to open on their reinforcements,
which were coming down on a dead run.  They cooled there their ardor & we pushed their front line
through and over the river, when they took refuge in their rifle pits just on the other side.”

·        “Gen. Ward decided to make short work of it, and he ordered the sharpshooters, 20^th Indiana & 40^th N.Y.
to go over the river on double quick & take these works.  Away they went, with one of their unearthly yells. 
You can imagine the boys going through the river nearly waist deep, old Hobart Ward on his white horse
at the head of them, and, of course, we, his staff, had to follow the old gent. Although the Johnnies were
playing ball rather briskly.  But we soon had them in a tight place.”

·        “We went over by division doubled on the center, and deployed as soon as over.  We took 480 prisoners in
one squad & drove the others flying right over the open plain to the woods.  By this time it was dark and
we rested for the night.  The loss in this skirmish was 10 killed & 60 wounded in our division, and not a
gun was fired by any other troops.  Our regiment lost 8 wounded, none killed.  They were all from
Companies A & F; none were badly wounded.”

·        “We cannot cross that river without great sacrifice of life & I do not think we will try it this winter.”

The letter has several stains and separations, but is overall in very good condition.  Letters from the 20^th Indiana and describing the Sharpshooters are very desirable! 

#L101 - Price $495