A Letter dated 28th june 1863

[klongstreet]

" And fine day till toward night when there were showers. This being Sunday and we lay in camp most of the day. So we had inspection of arms, one of the boys that was in this town in the hospital all last winter and was well acquainted got a pass and went in, brought out a lot of necessaries for the boys such as tobacco. well we began to think we may stay here a few days when the order to march come which we done immediately which we done. It being about 3pm , we start & come out on the road back a ways when we turned through by roads & a cross fields & c. But we are always traveling so as to make no more damage than we could possibly help. We came a bout 1 mile from Frederick city & camped just at dark in clover field as usual here, they bought some wood as to save the fences. Here news is that we are to go to Gettysburg some 35 miles, And the rumor that Gen Hooker has been relived of command & Gen Mead is in command.

Letter from Private William Ray, seventh Wisconsin infantry on the march near Frederick Maryland.
From the book " Gettysburg 1863, " Seething Hell".

A great letter but how did Private Ray know he was going to Gettysburg at that time?

 

[GABoy]

Because, at the time, General Meade knew the Army of Northern Virginia was somewhere in the vicinity of Gettysburg and had already started his corps commanders moving in that general direction.

 

[connecticut yankee]

As good as your question is, here perhaps is a better one that the June 28th letter conjures up:

"How did the soldier Private Ray know that General Meade is newly in command?!?"

Afterall,
June 27, 1863 Henry Halleck issues an order making George Meade commander of the Army of the Potomac.
June 28, 1863 George Meade assumes command of the Army of the Potomac, replacing Joe Hooker.

 

[klongstreet]

I am still confused about this for the following reasons.
The only troops to be anywhere near Gettysburg on the 28th was 5th and 6th Michigan cavalry who arrived about 10 am on patrol, they left shortly after. The Army of the Potomac according to Trudeau was concentrating at Frederick ready to move
on Harrisburg on the 28th, Meade's plan was " I should move my army as promptly as possible on the main line from Frederick to Harrisburg, extending my wings on both sides of that line as far as i could consistently with the safety and the rapid concentration of that army,and should continue that movement until i either encounter the enemy" this at the end of the day of the 28th. Now why would Private Ray write that he was going to Gettysburg 35 miles away? Only rumor about Meade at the same time.

Thank you in advance for any help with this. Sorry about the map by the way.

 

[GABoy]

Maybe the letter is phony? It certainly doesn't add up........

 

[klongstreet]

I had thought of that and will post if anything comes up regarding this letter.
Many thanks
Keith