169. K.I.A. GETTYSBURG MASSACHUSETTS LETTER ARCHIVE A rare war-date Civil War soldier's letter archive written by Pvt. Charles Leland, Co. B, 13th Massachusetts Infantry who was killed during the battle of Gettysburg. When sixteen years old, Leland enlisted (July 1861), and served throughout the war, fighting against Stonewall Jackson in the Valley in 1862 and then with the Army of the Potomac until he was shot in the lower abdomen during the first day's fighting at Gettysburg. Included in the group are twenty- 21 letters totaling approximately 70pps. in dark pencil and ink, dated between Aug.11, 1861 through June 30, 1863. The letters read, in very small part: "...[Camp Independence 8/11/61] I am going to be examined by the Doctor as soon as he comes over to the camp and if he does not think I can stand it I shall be sent home...[Hd. Qrs 13th Mass. Williamsport Md. 11/8/61]...I was on picket guard on the Potomac just below the town the other night...Our camp is situated within sight of Virginia...[Camp Jackson 1/15/62]...[Stonewall] Jackson has retreated to about twelve miles beyond Bath and is encamped on a level plain in that vicinity, at least the inhabitants say so... what do you think of the forward movement. I hope that Burnside's Expedition will succeed and also the one on the Mississippi. The rebels will have to catch it pretty soon. We could see a signal last night from over the [Potomac] river, but do not know what it meant...We have to guard the town, and the Captain sends those that are sick &c. to do that...Wasn't that glorious news that came from Kentucky the 21st....I think that we shall be at the taking of Martinsburg and perhaps Winchester...[Hd Qrs Co. B 13th Mass. Picket Guard Williamsport 2/19/62]...I was up three miles on picket the other day and had a very good time of it...there has been some good news from the West. Those victories will tell on the rebels, and they had better look out for themselves...I had to have made for me a new pistol case, as the other was all worn out...[2/28/62]...we are going to cross into Dixie early tomorrow morning...We are going to Martinsburg tomorrow...proceed to Winchester...The Indiana 12th is with us...[Warrenton Junction 4/28/62]...We do not know how long we are going to stay here but I think that as soon as Yorktown falls we will move...Gen. McClellan has now a chance to show himself to what people thought, one of the greatest generals of the age. We received news last night of the sinking of the [Ironclad CSS] Merrimac, whether true or not I do not know. The Merrimac has been pretty effective in keeping our forces away from the James River. I hope that McClellan will be successful and Richmond is ours...[5/1/62]...Things are the same here as before, with the exception that [Brig. Gen.] Abercrombie has been put on the retired list and General Hartzman has taken command of the brigade...Do you think it would be strange if McDowell, Banks and Fremont, concentrate and pay a visit to Richmond, while McClellan keeps the enemy active at Yorktown...We received news of the capture of New Orleans on Monday the 28th and it is very good news too. It being one of the most important cities in the south...[5/11/62]...I understand that Duryea's brigade will relieve us...We heard of the battle at Williamsburg and it was good news...McClellan will soon be in Richmond...[near Waterloo, Va. 7/2/62]...Speaking of the difficulty in recruiting I think that the President would show a little sense if he prohibited giving extra bounty money and commence the draft. If a man has not patriotism enough to come out now he never will have...we are out here, and been working for the U.S. for a year and these new recruits will get about twice the money that we will...[near Warrenton 7/15/62]...We are under Genl. Pope. He is concentrating his force around here preparatory to making a move. Banks force is the other side of the town...[near Ridgeville, Md. 9/13/62]...We...are now about fifteen miles from Frederick City. We can hear cannon from that direction to day and there is a fight probably going on...[Stafford Court House 12/2/62]...We are in Taylor's brigade, Gibbons Division and Franklins Army Corps...[Camp near Bell Plain 3/4/63]...I heard tonight that the bill had passed the house to let five per cent of the old regiments go home and that it had been signed by Abraham Lincoln. According to that about fifteen of this regiment will get home at once...If you can get me a commission you need not be afraid but what I will take it very quick indeed...[3/19/63]...We will be on the move again in the direction of Johnny [Reb], wherever he may be and I hope that we will drive them towards their capitol as fast as they did us at Bull Run towards Washington. We heard cannonading yesterday and suppose that our forces were engaged at Warrenton or thereabouts...I think if Hooker...gets the Johnnys running that he will push them instead of waiting until they reinforce and fortify Elas la cautious...[4/18/63]...Genl. Foster is relieved, and can fight for some time longer. I think that Charleston will fall before long, and a great will be the fall thereof. The news is not very encouraging form the West, but I guess we will do something before long...[White Oak Church 5/30/63]...there is stirring and cheering news from the Army of the West under U.S. Grant. I think that Vicksburg will give up (that is) the force at that place, and we will have gained one of the most decisive victories of the war. We heard that Banks had reinforced Grant...The news from our cavalry in Arkansas was also good, and I think Johnny will have to give up his possessions west of the Mississippi river...Sigourney Wales our Adjutant left for Boston yesterday where he expects a commission in the 55th Col,d...". Also included are several original transmittal covers plus a photocopy of Pvt. Leland in uniform. Some light soiling, overall very good. $2,000 - 3,000