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

10_1863-08-17 Page 06

blame Pemberton very much for holding out so long - as there were immense numbers sick and the deaths the same.  I told thee in one letter to M. that I was on the famous battle ground of Champion Hills.  We encamped on the ground two nights, it was then two months after the battle and in one place I saw a trench of Rebel dead and one mans feet were all out of the ground - another head &c and not 20 yards from our tent was a trench & all the upper part of one of the bodies was exposed and he had his cap on his head yet.  One grave contained a rebel Col. and Fed. Major - and we speculated a great deal over what wd. be the position taken by the two when they came up in the other world.  The Col. thought they would square off and finish up their little differences - the first thing.  We went out to within 10 miles of Jackson - when we were ordered back.  The Rebs captured my horse on that trip and I've been without since.  I aim to have one to-morrow again.  We came very near having a brush with the rebs on that trip but they only made a pretended dash on us & run -  the scouts of a body of 4000 rebel cavalry were in our lines and found we were too many for them - so they made a feint on us the next morning and ran away - took one of our Capts. and he was on my horse - they paroled him but kept the horse. But I must close this - I will send to Juneau and maybe thee will succeed in getting a letter one place or the other.  Remember me to all the friends there.  Will joins me in much love to thee thy affectionate daughter Laura -

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blame Pemberton very much for holding out so long - as there were immense numbers sick and the deaths the same. I told thee in one letter to M. that I was on the famous battle ground of Champion Hills. We encamped on the ground two nights, it was then two months after the battle and in one place I saw a trench of Rebel dead and one mans feet were all out of the ground - another head &c and not 20 yards from our tent was a trench & all the upper part of one of the bodies was exposed and he had his cap on his head yet. One grave contained a rebel Col. and Fed. Major - and we speculated a great deal over what wd. be the position taken by the two when they came up in the other world. The Col. thought they would square off and finish up their little differences - the first thing. We went out to within 10 miles of Jackson - when we were ordered back. The Rebs captured my horse on that trip and I've been without since. I aim to have one to-morrow again. We came very near having a brush with the rebs on that trip but they only made a pretended dash on us & run - the scouts of a body of 4000 rebel cavalry were in our lines and found we were too many for them - so they made a feint on us the next morning and ran away - took one of our Capts. and he was on my horse - they paroled him but kept the horse. But I must close this - I will send to Juneau and maybe thee will succeed in getting a letter one place or the other. Remember me to all the friends there. Will joins me in much love to thee thy affectionate daughter Laura -