Amazing manuscript firsthand account of the Battle of Gettysburg, dated 1896, 41 pages, 8 x 10.25, titled at the top, “Recollections of the Rebel Invasion, and one Woman’s Experience during the Battle of Gettysburg.” Fannie J. Buehler’s account of her experience during the battle, during which she converted her home into a makeshift hospital and offered aid to injured soldiers. In part: “We had just gotten through with our first meal, on the first day's fight, on the 1st of July, when our door bell was rung most violently and our alley gate shaken as if to force it off its hinges. I hesitated a moment as to whether I should answer the bell or not. One of our wounded men, whose name it is not necessary to mention, said to me, ‘If I were you I would answer the door bell, if you do not you may [fare] worse. Having no fear, I at once crossed the hall and opened the door. There stood three or four men, whom I at once recognized as Confederate soldiers, led by Harry Gilmor known in war times a ‘the Brigade Chief’ from his style of dress. I had read of him and of his uniform, his cocked hat and feather, but I never expected to meet him face to face…he accosted me, 'Madam, you have Union soldiers concealed in your house and I have come to search for them.' You will recollect this was on the afternoon of the first day's fight, when the Union men had been repulsed on Seminary Ridge had been driven through the town by the Rebels and were now in possession of Cemetery Hill…Many things of interest occurred during the two remaining days of the fight, but would make this story too long to tell of them all. The fight went on, with the dreadful slaughter of human life, the roar of artillery and musketry, with the groans of the wounded and dying, baffles all description.” In overall very good to fine condition; pages have become unbound and front cover is absent, but otherwise the manuscript is very bold and clean. RR Auction COA.
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