DIY History | Transcribe | Civil War Diaries and Letters | Laura Gibson's correspondence to her mother, June-August 1863

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Laura Gibson's correspondence to her mother, June-August 1863

05_1863-07-05 Page 05

of our regiment was captured that same day by the rebs - and they told him that their scouts were inside our lines during the night and when they found us had 5 regiments instead of one to guard the train they could not attack us - they dogged us all day but made no demonstration.  We came 15 miles to this place - but do not know how long we will stay here.  I was on the Battle ground of Champion Hill. saw where all the Rebel & Federal dead were burried.  One trench was 33 bodies and I saw the feet of one of them sticking away out of the ground.  The trees were riddled with bullets all round - in one grave was a Federal Capt. & a Rebel Col. and a great many other long trenches just filled with dead.  Not 10 yards from our tent was a grave with a number in it - one mans head all uncovered - and his cap still on - and he had been buried 2 months then.

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of our regiment was captured that same day by the rebs - and they told him that their scouts were inside our lines during the night and when they found us had 5 regiments instead of one to guard the train they could not attack us - they dogged us all day but made no demonstration. We came 15 miles to this place - but do not know how long we will stay here. I was on the Battle ground of Champion Hill. saw where all the Rebel & Federal dead were burried. One trench was 33 bodies and I saw the feet of one of them sticking away out of the ground. The trees were riddled with bullets all round - in one grave was a Federal Capt. & a Rebel Col. and a great many other long trenches just filled with dead. Not 10 yards from our tent was a grave with a number in it - one mans head all uncovered - and his cap still on - and he had been buried 2 months then.