“I believe I am a lucky youth. I suppose – if you only saw what the Rebs have thrown at me for the last 60 days – you would think so too. But on that awful 17th [of] June , [the battlefield] was the hottest place yet. I was so excited, that I knew nothing of the danger. My eyes saw all, in red and flame, but I could not digest it somehow. [The] only thing I knew I was rushing [forward], half carried on by some other power than myself, until I tumbled head and heels in the rebel works, to see the “Johnnies” put through the woods beyond. But I didn’t stay there long, for they rallied and drove us out. But the next time we made them leave, and stay at a respectable distance of some 1000 yards.”

He survived this assault only to be one of 6 officers in his regiment to be captured at the Crater. The 2nd. PA HA “Provisionals” were the first unit into the pit after the mine explosion. The above letter and another one written from the battlefield can be read elsewhere on this blog.
Greg taylor