A Letter from the Army of the James
This reading edition combines all four pages of the surviving letter into a single continuous text. The original scanned manuscript is reproduced below and should be retained as the authoritative source for reference and provenance. Spelling and capitalization have been preserved where practical, while paragraph breaks and punctuation have been lightly adjusted for readability. Words that remain uncertain are enclosed in brackets.
Source: Manuscript letter, Henry H. Gunn to his Aunt Rhoda, August 17, 1864; four pages Public Domain
August 17, 1864
Concerning the death of George Almon Gunn at Deep Bottom, Virginia
The Letter
Army of the James
Va. Camp
in the field U.S.A.
August 17th
Dear Aunt,
I now sit my self down to drop you a few short lines. I will tell you what it is on the start. Your husband was killed yesterday in a pretty hard fight in which we had with the enemy. He, my old and good uncle, has gon to his long home.
We left our camp on the south side of the James River and crossed the pontoon bridge to the north side the 13. We had quite a skermish with the rebels the 14. We had one wounded in our Co.
We left our knapsacks in the woods & marched near the distance of about five or 6 miles. Here we have been fighting ever since, and yesterday we charged on the rebels breastworks. We routed the rebels from them and held them for some time, when down came the rebels in heavy force and we was ordered to fall back.
Here at these earthworks he was shot dead. The ball entered near his left breast and came out at his back. As you see, he lays in the enemys hands. O how I wish he was at home. The enemy had a cross fire on us. The men on our flanks failed to perform there duty. We had 8 wounded in our Co.
We lost pretty heavy. William Hager had his ankle broken, & others I might mention, but I have not time. We are in a pretty [perilous?] place. There is firing on the line.
I have got Uncles wallet with 7 Dollars, two Cent books, & a pocket nife & a looking glass. I will send these things to you if I can, but I know not what a day will bring fourth.
We have had a great number of our men [down?] a week, which are now at the rear. This is truly a sorrowful time, Rhoda. You will think this a rather mixed up letter, but you will consider where I am and how I am situated.
This sheet of paper is some that I got from one of the boys that got it out of a rebel knapsack. All the boys says we have lost one of our best men and a Christian if there ever was one. I hope his uncle is singing praises to God in heaven. He was thought a great deal of in the Regt.
Now I must close with patience. I truly feel lonesome. O sad [illegible], and may this weakened [wanderer?] I left to mourn with you.
From your true friend,
Henry
Historical Context
The letter was written the day after George Almon Gunn, a private in Company I, 67th Ohio Infantry, was killed on August 16, 1864, during fighting at Deep Bottom, Virginia, north of the James River.
The writer describes the regiment crossing a pontoon bridge, charging Confederate breastworks, coming under crossfire, and falling back under heavy pressure. He also records the small personal effects recovered from his uncle: a wallet containing seven dollars, two small books, a pocketknife, and a looking glass.
The Original Manuscript
