Category Archives: Battles: Gettysburg

Return to Virginia

“Monday. Heavy rain last night, raining again today. Our wagon trains commenced crossing the Potomac at Williamsport, Maryland, this morning.” So wrote Spartan Band diarist William H. Hill on July 13, 1863. The 13th Regiment had left their rifle pits … Continue reading

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On picket duty

On Tuesday, July 7, another day of rain, the Mississippi Brigade was ordered out on picket duty at Downsville, Maryland, four miles southeast of Williamsport on the swollen Potomac River. The pontoons over their intended crossing at Falling Waters had … Continue reading

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Correspondence

Barksdale’s Mississippi Brigade’s division commander Gen. Lafayette McLaws wrote his wife, Emily, from his Hagerstown, Maryland headquarters on Tuesday, July 7. “Since I wrote you last we have had a series of terrible engagements out of which God has permitted … Continue reading

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Gettysburg: The Withdrawal

Saturday, the Fourth of July, dawned clear for the fourth day in a row, according to Spartan Band diarist William H. Hill. The late Gen. Barksdale’s Mississippi Brigade had withdrawn during the night along with the rest of the division, … Continue reading

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Gettysburg: The Third Day

Friday, July 3, 1863, dawned clear on the battlefield south of Gettysburg, according to Spartan Band diarist William H. Hill who added that it became very warm as the day progressed. Friends of Private Nimrod Newton Nash buried him, and … Continue reading

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The death of Private Nash

Camp Winder Hospital Division No. 2, ward No. 45 Richmond, Va. July 14th, 63 Dear Sister [-in-law] Mollie, I have to perform the sad task of writing the death of your poor Newton to you[.] [H]e was killed in battle … Continue reading

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Barksdale’s death

No one might ever have known what happened to the Mississippi Brigade’s commander, General William Barksdale, but for the kindness of two Union soldiers: Private David Parker of the 14th Vermont and Musician Robert A. Cassidy of the 148th Pennsylvania. … Continue reading

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Night on the battlefield

The survivors of the Mississippi Brigade retreated in the evening twilight of July 2, 1863, back to the Peach Orchard and the vicinity of the Sherfy farm. More than twenty Rebel cannon were awaiting them there, having moved from Seminary … Continue reading

Posted in Barksdale's Mississippi Brigade, Battles: Gettysburg, H. Grady Howell Jr., The Pettus Guards, The Spartan Band, The Winston Guards, William H. Hill Diary | Tagged , , | 2 Comments