Near Williamsport, July 13, 1863.
We are now in line of battle fortifying our position. The
enemy is in front; I don't think Meade is at all anxious to make the attack,
for we don't believe as the papers do, that we have a demoralized army to
fight, but one nearly as strong as we are, in a good position for defence;
still I think there will be a fight before they get over the river.
The first chance I have, I will write you an account of our
part of the battle of Gettysburg. It was a fierce fight; we made one charge
which was the bravest thing I ever saw. It was in this that Colonel Mudge and
most of the officers and men were hit. There are only four of the old officers
left in the field and line of this regiment now, Coggswell, myself, Francis and
Brown; of twelve officers who have been killed, eleven came out with the
regiment.
I received a very handsome letter from General Andrews
yesterday in which he offered me the colonelcy of a colored regiment. He is to
have the organization and command of a Corps d'Afrique consisting of twenty
regiments of infantry, one regiment of cavalry and four batteries. Under the
circumstances I shall refuse, but I consider it a great honor, coming from him.
SOURCE: Charles Fessenden Morse, Letters Written
During the Civil War, 1861-1865, p. 142-3
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