Dear Mama,                     July 3rd, 1863

Just Outside Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Yesterday, I lost my last nurse due to illness. I am the only one left to care for all of these wounded men. After today, I will have no more supplies to help anyone. I am sorry I am not there to care for Little Tommy, but I feel like helping these fallen’ soldiers is more important. The 10 dollars I have left for you is the best I can do for you and Little Tommy. 

When a wounded soldier would come in, I would hear all of the stories about the war from the wounded soldiers. I heard how they were losing the battle and also how the Confederates came and attacked them with over what seemed to be millions of troops; I then learned it was only about 15,000 troops. Almost all of them told me how the tides had flipped and now the Union seemed to be winning. I was so happy to hear that the war was coming to an end, but today hundreds of soldiers came in wailing for help. I later heard that this battle was the bloodiest battle of the Civil War; the Battle of Gettysburg. This war had killed over 7,058 soldiers! It also left 44,054 soldiers either wounded or lost. It is said that today the battle has ended, but I can never be too sure. I can see that this battle accomplished nothing but far too many dead soldiers. 

All I can do is sit there and listen to the artillery shots in the distance. I can never forget all of the crazy stories I have heard. I am scared for my beloved James because he is out there risking his life in one of the bloodiest battles. I operated on one soldier who said that they had met a fellow soldier by the name of James Willow. This soldiers name was Bubba. He had told me about a lot of his friends, but I was really interested when he said James’s name. He said that they were in the same regiment. He also told me that he was an exceptional soldier; one of the best soldiers he’s ever seen. This was relieving news because that meant he could defend himself from the Confederates. I miss all of you very much and I hope to see you after the war.

Sincerely,

Maryanne