Description:

CIVIL WAR LETTER WRITTEN FROM THE GETTYSBURG BATTLEFIELD
A great A.L.S. by JONATHAN SPROUL, corporal in the 40th Regt. NY Vols. Infantry, 3pp. 8vo., "Battle Field Gettysburg July 5th/63", to his father. A deeply religious soldier, Sproul expresses his thanks to his maker for sparing his life in this historic battle. In part: "...Again are we permitted to record the goodness of a very kind Providence for the sparing of our lives and protection from harm during the last few terrible days. But thanks be to God the fight is thus far ours and we have driven the enemy at all points. As in times past, so have we been spared by a Merciful hand which we fail to interpret the reason why. God is gracious and we are greatful [sic].On the March from Tanytown Md. Wilson [his brother] was taken sick and was with the ambulance and hospitals...but he is not yet well by any means...His Rifle and Equipment have been given to others. The heavy Marching was too much for him. But he will be all right in a few days...I was never in better health nor better spirits. We have had one of the biggest fights of the War, and the loss in our Regiment is about one hundred and fifty...I never went into a fight with a better heart, not felt better during any engagement than I have the last few days. I guess the rebels find it quite a different thing fighting in Pennsylvania than in Virginia. What this week will tell I am unable to say, but I reckon they will get out of this right-smart. This is a splendid place to fight in as we have so much open field. And we have had for once a square open field fight...I promise we shall see much more fight this afternoon or tomorrow. If the rebels make a stand we will fight them, they have left our front and there is some firing a few miles distance which is proof that if they are taking out we are after them. God is our Refuge...". Sproul enlisted in Brooklyn at the age of 21 on Oct. 2, 1861, and was mustered into Co. C of the 87th New York Infantry. He was transferred on Sept. 6, 1862 to Co. C Mozart Regiment of the 40th N.Y. Infantry, and promoted to Sergeant on July 16, 1863. Wounded at Kelly's Ford on Nov. 7, 1863, he had his leg amputated in a field hospital. Transferred to a Washington, D.C. hospital shortly thereafter, he nonetheless died of his wound on Dec. 7, 1863. On July 4, both armies stood in wait of another battle, but when no attack was ordered by Meade, both began the saddening task of picking up the wounded and dead on the battlefield. Sproul's brother Wilson, mentioned in this letter, enlisted at the same time as his brother at the age of 19, and was also transferred to the 40th N. Y. Infy. Surviving the war, he was mustered out on Oct. 6, 1864, and died at age 62. Penned in a fine, dark hand, very good condition.

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January 20, 2010 10:00 AM EST
Stamford, CT, US

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