July 4, 1863
Battle Field near Gettysburg Pa
Dear Mother,
I have a chance to mail a letter so I will write to you for I know you are anxious to hear from me. We are fighting at this place. Our Regt was engaged on Thursday, July 2nd. I am alive and quite well. I came out of the Battle unharmed. I cannot tell yet with any certainty the loss in our Co. Jonas Snow and Thomas Crosley (Lieutenant) are wounded the missing are Horace Sweet, Richard Farrington, Adolphus Thompson, Albert Peck, Jonathan Locke, William Spear all of our Co. Our Col is slightly wounded in the hand, Our Adjutant in the hip. The Major is missing and also Acting Sergt. Major James Houghtaling. Our Regt. numbers about 60 men. We are confident of victory. I seen some of the 150th Regt., PA Vols. and was informed that Samuel Pfeiffer was killed…
“I will write soon again if God spares my life… I hope this Battle will end the war so that I may return home.”
Private Strouss – 57th Pennsylvania Infantry
“To Brigadier General Pierce,
General, I have the honor to report that a considerable force of the enemy is moving toward their right (our left). I cannot give a correct estimate of the number, probably one division. I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, E.C. STROUSS, Captain, 57th PA Veteran Volunteers, In Charge of the 2nd Brigade Pickets.”
-Courtesy of the Shapell Manuscript Foundation