Archive Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
XI.1.2.2019.029.38 |
Collection |
Hazzard Family Collection |
Object Name |
Letter |
Title |
Letter from Thomas D. Hazzard to Joseph H. Hazzard |
Scope & Content |
Thomas Davis Hazzard writes to his brother from the Chestnut Hill Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. This letter focuses on Hazzard's experience at the Battle of Gettysburg, although he never mentions the battle by name in his letter. With his regiment, Hazzard defended against Lieutenant General James Longstreet and Lieutenant General A. P. Hill's advance in what would later be referred to as Pickett's Charge, one of Gettysburg's most infamous moments. In this conflict, Hazzard was ordered to lay behind a wall as the Confederate troops approached and wait for them to get within 75 yards. He then got up and shot at them, killing many, and charged on them to continue fighting. In the battle, Hazzard was wounded which resulted in his travel home to Philadelphia in order to get treatment at Chestnut Hill Hospital. Being in the city he grew up in, Hazzard was visited by his family while in the hospital, but the expense of travel into the city prevented him from seeing them or his friends any more. At the end of his letter there is a repetition of words which probably depicts Hazzard's attempts at learning to spell new words. |
Dates of Creation |
July 11, 1863 |
Date |
July 11, 1863 |
Notes |
This letter is addressed to "Brother." All of Thomas D. Hazzard's letters are addressed to "Brother," in reference to Joseph H. Hazzard. Though the battle's name is not included within the letter, this letter provides Thomas Hazzard's account of his involvement at the Battle of Gettysburg. The full transcription of the letter is as follows: wound U.S. Hospital. Chestnut. Hill. Pa [Pennyslvania] Dear BrotherJuly 11th 18/63 I take this opptunity [opportunity] of writing to you. after having marched over 200 miles and being engudeg [engaged] in the hottest Battle ever fought in the same space of ground and in which thear [there] was over 300 peices [pieces] of arttilery [artillery] engadge [engaged]. You have read all about it befor [before] this so i will say but little about it. I was struck by a pice [piece] of shell which gave me quite a wound in the left thigh. and after laying in the woods 2 days and nights in the rain i started for Littlestown the distance of 10 miles. i started at day brake [break] and arived [arrived] at the station at 6 oclock in the evning [evening] i was nearly plaid [played] out. but i was bound to see Philad [Philadelphia]. So we started for Baltimore at 7 oclock and arived [arrived] in that city at 7oclock in the morning and after a good Brakfast [Breakfast] and getting our wounds dressed we started for Philad [Philadelphia]. and we got to Broad + Prine [Pine] streets at dark. after supper we stook the ambulances beloing [belonging] [page break] to the difrent [different] fire Companys [Companies]. and was taken to 9th + green, whear [where] we took the cars for Cheasnut [Chestnut] hill [Hill]. thear [there] was five hundred came in our train but at present thear [there] is thay [they] say Five thousand in this hospital. and thear [there] is 300 getting waigh [weighed] and measured now which will come in hear [here]. thear [there] is 60 men in each ward. the hospital covers 60 acres of ground, and it is fitted up in the beast [best] stile [style]. only the grub is scarse [scarce]. Mother + Mary, William and sis was up to see me last whensday [Wednesday], but it cost to much, the fare is [18cts] The wound is not much but it is pleanty [plenty] bad enufe [enough] for me. Our corps has to fight. both of Longstreets and A. P. Hills cores as thay [they] advanced in front of us. our Brigade laid down behind a stone fence and when the Rebs [Rebels] advanced in 3 lines of Battle of and we waited untill [until] thay [they] got to within 75 yards of us when we got up and give them a load of lead which laid half of them out to sun themselves then we charged upon them and took mor [more] prisners [prisoners] than thear [there] was in our Brigade. [page break] I could get a pass to goe [go] and see my friends but i have not been paid latley [lately] and i could not walk down to the city and all the money that Mother has got i know is not much. So my chance of seeing my friends is poor unless thay [they] come to see me. I will close by sending you and ann [Ann] and John my best Respects hoping you and your famile [family] are in good health I belive [believe] Stuart is all right at least so the men out of his Companey [Company] who are in hear [here] say so. I will Halt. I remain Your Brother Thomas. Davis Hazzard Direct Thomas D. Hazzard Ward 25 U.S. Hospital Chestnut hill Penn [Pennyslvania] B m write as scoon [soon] as posible [possible] for fear i leave the hospital Good Bye [page break] Victory for July the 4th 1863 [in right margin] skitch skech sketchCallard Colerd Collerd Asilem Asilym Esylem Assel Asilm Assilem Aslyem Aschmon Asylom Isylom milders Assy Asylem Solders Soldiers |
Extent of Description |
1 leaf, 14.25" by 9.1" |
Relation |
Show Related Records... |
Condition |
Good |
Condition Notes |
Overall, letter is in good condition. This sheet has five vertical folds. One that splits the page directly in half, and four others that separate the page into equal sixths. It has two horizontal folds, one in the center of the page and one about an inch below that center fold. There is slight discoloration along the edges and fold lines; however that discoloration is heavier on the left side of the front of the sheet. |
Legal Status |
Owned by The Union League Legacy Foundation. |
Multimedia Files |
Click here to view the full transcription of the Hazzard Family Letters Collection. |
People |
Hazzard, Thomas Hazzard, Joseph Hazzard, Ann Longstreet, James Hill, Jr., Ambrose Powell |
Search Terms |
Hazzard Family Collection Baltimore, MD Battle of Gettysburg Chestnut Hill Hospital Gettysburg, PA Littlestown, PA Philadelphia, PA Pickett's Charge 71st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry (1st California Regiment) |