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119th PENNSYLVANIA LETTERS BETWEEN KIA OFFICER AND FAMILY – GETTYSBURG CONTENT!

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Lieutenant Edward Coxe of the 119^th Pennsylvania, Company D, wrote his sister on July 20^th, 1863 from Lovettsville, Virginia – just over 2 weeks after the close of the Battle of Gettysburg.  Edward offers a detailed accounting of the 119^th’s actions during the campaign, bristling at the characterization of the 6^th Corps as being largely spared from the bloodletting due to being the general infantry reserve of the Army of the Potomac.

He details his experiences from June 6^th until the day of writing, describing the hot weather and the many men of the regiment who had to fall out due to heat exhaustion as they crossed back into Virginia.  He talks of stopping to rest on the land of a Confederate sympathizer who refused to furnish any food or comforts to Union troops, which resulted in a group of soldiers setting fire to his barn.  He refers to Virginia as “this God forsaken state.” By page 2, he starts his recollections of Gettysburg saying, “Our sojourn in Penna. was very short and that we had harder work there than at any time since we have been in the service… I was at Funkstown, MD and we were making every preparation for a large fight. That fight which, I suppose, to the disgust of the militia and the papers did not come off. Referring to the Sixth Corps, Mother’s idea that we would not be exposed to any great danger is not correct always. In one instance, however, we were fortunate having a good position. Being a reserve, is a very responsible position, as in the case of a defection of a corps or part of a corps, or want of the whole of it or a portion, to act as a forlorn hope to carry a point, the reserve always stands a fair chance of being called upon during a general engagement such as the battle of Gettysburg. Remember to Rob whenever anyone writes him… Captain, late Lt. Dunkle, was captured and wounded, but as I see in the Inquirer, escaped from his captors. Lt. Joshua Garsed, killed at Gettysburg, was Rob’s old schoolmate, he was instantly killed by a round shot… My old friend Andy McBride was killed at Gettysburg, I had met him often while in the service and do now regret his loss deeply.  He was a good friend, a first rate soldier and his early death is a great blow to his family and to his old friends. Captain Moss, Adjutant Mercer and six non-commissioned officers from the regiment will go home in a few days to bring back enough drafted men to fill the ranks of the 119^th.”

Edward goes on to coordinate the exchange and delivery of various items like socks, the repair of his sword back home in care of a comrade on leave, and req    uest that his (Edward) father purchase for him a belt and Colt’s latest patented revolver for $16 with a matching holster to be brought to him by another comrade on leave. He closes by saying that he and the regiment are passing over the same ground as they had a year ago and asks that family writes to him as often as possible.

A second letter is included in this grouping, written to Edward by his father.  It is from earlier in the year, dated January 31, 1863.  The content is certainly of the moment, with strong criticism of General Burnside’s performance at Fredericksburg and his ill-advised “Mud March”.  He councils Edward on obtaining a commission from his Colonel, who has been dragging his feet a bit on the recommendation, by saying “You must see the Colonel and ask him frankly to give you the recommendation, do it courteously, by stating that your friends are waiting to get that paper, this will draw him out.  If he will not then we must try some other regiment. You are fully entitled to it in every respect and there should be no delay.” He closes by advising his son to “stand by your Country and keep your own counsels, don’t discuss merits of commanders near or remote but enforce obedience and discipline without which you can have no country, no army, no victories.  No constrain discipline, but cheerful and enforced without alacrity it is the hover of the Army of the Potomac to strike a terrible blow to the enemy for you have men enough.  Will you do it? You have now one of the three greatest General that has yet turned up during the war.  The two others, Mitchell and Kearny are dead, he will do his duty, first in putting his army in order, then he will show you the way to victory. Let every man do his whole duty and victory will be the result.”

Unfortunately, Edward was wounded at the Battle of Rappahannock Station and died in Washington DC of his wounds on November 22, 1863.

Edward’s letter encompasses 4 pages of 2 lined and embossed pieces of paper folded vertically at center. The first paper has been repaired with transparent tape along the vertical fold and there is some minor separation at the right horizontal folds of each page. Both pages measure 8” x 10” and all penciled writing is legible. Edward’s father’s letter is written in ink on embossed and lined Carew Company Congressional stationery.  It Is folded vertically and horizontally with a slight separation at the right center horizontal fold. A cover/envelope is included with a Philadelphia post mark stamp dated February 1, 1865. A three-cent stamp is printed/stamped onto the cover and the hand-written address reads “E. E. Coxe Comp. D 119 Regiment Penna. Volunteers 1^st Brigade, 2^nd Division, 6^th Army Corps – Washington D.C.”

These letters would be a feature of any paper ephemera or Civil War collection, with Gettysburg content from an officer who was later killed in action.  [cm][ph:L]

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