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ALS signed “Wm. H. Lane, Co. H, Pa. Volunteers,” four pages on two adjoining sheets, 7.5 x 9.75, August 16, 1863. Handwritten letter from "Camp Near Bealton Station," Virginia, describing experiences during the Battle of Gettysburg, with a reference to Pickett's charge. In part (phonetic spelling corrected): "I take this opportunity to inform you that I do enjoy the best of health at this hot time. We are laying in camp in this damned old Virginia. I hate the name. I have been in it one year. I think we will get out of it in a few days now. We are under marching orders. Part of our Corps is marching now. Our Brigade comes next. We have to march all night and lay by in the day. It is so hot. We do expect to go to Washington and from there to Charleston, South Carolina…
David, I saw three hard battles. The battle at Gettysburg was as hard a fought battle as ever was fought in the United States. The devils was mad and fought for life. We went in the field at seven o'clock and come 6 o'clock in the evening. It was terrible cannonading as ever was by any set of men in the World. I was on the field four days helping to get our wounded off the field. We had 16 hundred wounded in our corps. It is the third corps of the army of the Potomac. The devil can't scare it. It has the luck to be the first in all the big battles that has been fought since I have been in the service. Dave, I saw not less than five thousand dead Gray Back laying dead on the battlefield at one time. On the fourth day we buried all our dead and left their men lay on the field. We tried to kill them and them the same. We had 8000 Rebels at one time in a field and drove them away like sheep to Washington. I think they are getting tired of us now. Our army is in good health as can be expected were there so many together.
There is about one hundred and 40 thousand laying along the Potomac River now all idle. We will soon get started. When the conscripts come they are to be put in the old regiments. They will wish the devil had them before they ever saw us. The old men can stand it so much better and they must go or die. On the road it is hard for a green man to march. We half to march half the time or more on double quick rain or shine. David, I want you to write to me and tell me how you are getting along. I want you to take my wife over a mess of corn and one pair of good chickens, some plums, and she will pay you for them. If your wife has some fresh butter take her three lbs. Tell Mrs. Speelman to send me a belly full of Buttermilk. I don't see what makes her so mad at me. She won't give me one drink for more than one year. David, I hope to see and eat with you again. I will be free in fifteen months and hope to find all well when I get back." In fine condition, with slightly irregular light toning.
