The Fire Within

Chapter 15

My Dearest Wife,

I write you a few lines to inform you that I am alive and well. I should have written you before but there has been no chance to send mail and I don't know when I can send this.

We have had a great battle, I believe the greatest in the war. The same day I wrote to you we were ordered to report to our old Corps, the 2nd Corps, just as I expected it would be if there was a fight expected. On the 1st of July we went in about 5 p.m.

When the artillery ceased, a whole division charged out of the woods.

The enemy were advancing in heavy column. We fought them falling back as they advanced until we checked them and drove them back. That was the first time they ever charged our battery. We lost several men wounded but got our battery off all right. At dark we changed our position a little.

Everything was quiet except the sharpshooters until about noon on the 2nd July, when they opened the greatest artillery fire on us that ever was witnessed. We could see them all the forenoon getting their batteries in position but wasn't allowed to open on them. The cannonading was very rapid on both sides for about two hours. When the artillery ceased, a whole division charged out of the woods. They had to cross an open field of about 100 rods to get to us. They suffered terribly getting to us but they marched up as tigers keeping perfect line until they could almost put their hands on our guns but few of them lived to get back. They were killed or taken prisoners. ...

We lost 11 men killed and 20 wounded. We lost about 50 horses. My horse was shot among the rest. Amos Maynard and Happy Wright were among the killed. Our first lieutenant was severely wounded and our captain was killed. He had only been with us one day. I was struck with a piece of shell on the leg. It tore my pants and lamed me a little but not to stop me from fighting as well as ever.

Good-bye from your beloved husband,

Ezekiel

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My Dearest Mary,

After the second day of battles here in Gettysburg, I'm brought to thinking about the promises we made to each other and our attempts to create a family together. I almost didn't come back to you today. Our unit was under heavy artillery fire and we had to force the enemy back with bayonet and rifle. We are here and well, although we've lost countless men and are sorely outmanned, we still maintain the upper hand holding the high ground.

Our Corps held our ground and pushed the enemy back, and just in time to save our army from a total defeat, as it appeared at the time. Our Corps went into it splendidly, driving the rebels in every direction and recapturing the artillery that the 5th Corps had lost. Our regiment had but one man wounded. We were right in were the balls flew thick and fast, and how we got off so well I do not see.

Now the late night yields little light as we try to eat and rest in order to battle against the Rebs tomorrow and hopefully put this battle to an end with victory. That we are pretty well tired out you can well imagine. I think I never knew hunger, thirst & fatigue before-but I lay down under the stars and thank God that he's spared your husband to his darling wife. Though I am saddened when I consider the hundreds who have fallen on my every side, I am happy as I am still spared unharmed to my wife.

With my every breath I miss your touch and your gaze upon me. Though my duty keeps me with my men, my desperate desire to be with my wife us unwavering and Will God Willing, keep me safe from harm and bring me home, into your warm and loving embrace.

My mind drifts to Zachariah now as I worry for my own family, I think of my now extended family. I received word just after we ceased fire tonight that Zachariah's unit had been pinned down on Cemetery Hill. He commanded his men much like I did to push forward into the Rebel forces to push them back. As of this moment, just after midnight on July 3, I have received no word of Zachariah's whereabouts or his condition. I'm hoping to receive word before I send this letter out to you, I'd like to be able to send good news to Grace about her beloved. But as of now, Zachariah's whereabouts are unknown to everyone in my vicinity and with night heavily upon us, it would be impossible for me to find him.