The writer of this letter, Private David B. Boynton, was a 22-year-old clerk from Boston, Mass.  David writes from “Camp at the town of Aldie, Va.”  on June 23rd, 1863, and gives some great descriptions of the Cavalry battle that he witnessed from a high hill overlooking the fight.  The 3rd Mass. Battery would go on to fight gallantly at the battle of Gettysburg on July 2nd near the foot of Little Round Top. 

“Dear Sister,

   We left Gun Springs Sunday morning at two o’clock after the rebels.  We went thundering
through the town till we came to the town of Dover where our Cavalry had a fight.  You would
have laughed to have seen how the stone walls were looped holed for muskets but they had to
 leave out of there.  The next town was Middleburg and this is twice I have seen there, once last
fall.  There was the hard work to be done for every stone wall was a fort for them.  We, our
Battery, was way up to the very front, but not being longer range were sent to relieve a rifle
battery and let them go ahead, and we took up our position on a high hill overlooking the fight
and to take a part if needed for it was the particular request of Brig. Gen. Barnes to have our
Battery go with him.  We had a good time.  We were placed in sections that is two guns in a
place.  Our place was on a high hill in front of a very pretty farm house, and there was a number
 of Secesh ladies in it but they were very pleasant as long as you did not talk war matters then
how their eyes would snap.  One of them cooked my coffee for me and gave me all the milk I
wanted to drink.  And we slept in a part of the house that was not finished but had a good roof
for they were building an addition.  From our hill we could see our Cavalry fight.  Oh how they
did go, wheeling into line, then away.  They charge first by firing from the Carbine, then out
with the pistol and saber, and then comes the tug of war, but the Reb can’t stand cold steel. 
You could see them leave from stone walls and put for dear life.  All honor to our Cavalry.  So
after doing all that we started to do and a little more for we got some of their Artillery.  We fell
back to Aldie, and am all right after a good night’s sleep.  Give my love to all at home and to all
 enquiring friends. 

 

               From your dear Brother David 

  I am in a hurry.”

With the letter is the original envelope, a “Due 3” “soldiers letter” addressed to David’s sister “No. 4 Dover Street Boston, Mass.”  The letter is written in nice dark ink and is in fine condition.

#G93 - Price $325