Ok then...here, ya go. My Great Grandfather, John N. Boyer lived in Hunterstown (suburbs of Gettysburg) and enlisted in the 184th Regiment, PA Volunteers with other locals in 1864. He had only two children at the time. John N. was shot by a Confederate sharpshooter and left on the field as dead, overnite. He didn't die and later had four more children. My grandmother was his last child. (so, I wouldn't be writing this had he actually died :>). My dad, receiving as a legacy John N's Civil War letters from his mother painstakingly typed the 15 or so hand written letters into his computer. I later saved his Apple II text into a P.C. in the form it now exists.
John Nickolaus Boyer served in the Army of the Potomac as a 1st Lieutenant for only a period of six months. He was about 32 yrs old when he enlisted with a company of local (Adam's county, PA) boys. Prior to this, John lived on his farm with his wife Anna, and two children, little Anna, 6 and Willie (William). Probably due to his age, and maturity John was elected 1st Lieutenant. He was shot through the chest Sep. 27, 1864, during the siege of Petersburg, only ten days after enlisting. Although he recovered sufficiently to return to his company during the winter months, John continues to be incapacitated by the effects of his wound (collapsed lung). Being an honorable man and extremely patriotic, he feels it his "duty" to remain with his company. Among the many things to note are: the speed of troop ships in letter-2, the first sign of peace in letter-9, warning concerning traitors at his home in letter-13, an uncomplimentary photo remark in letter-14, an apology to his wife in letter-15, and the amount of John's pension in the letter from the Department of the Interior.