ALS signed “Harlan P. Martin,” one page both sides, 4.75 x 7.75, July 5, 1863. Handwritten letter from the "Battle Field near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania," in part: "Dear Mother, Another fearful battle has been fought and again I have passed through the fiery ordeal unscathed. We have completely defeated the rebels and they are now supposed to be trying to sneak back to rebeldom…We have strong hopes of capturing the whole of their army. We had one killed…The Capt. was shot in the knee by a rebel sharpshooter. They say his leg will have to be amputated…It is an awful sight to go over field now…the ground is completely strewn with dead rebels who have been killed 3, 4, & 5 days ago and are not buried yet. We are expecting to leave here every minute to follow the rebs as they say they are retreating." In fine condition. Harlan P. Martin was a private in the 123rd New York Volunteer Infantry. A remarkable eyewitness account of the casualties at Gettysburg, which marked the turning point in the Civil War.
