My Dear Wife,

The Army of the Potomac has again met the enemy, and after three days’ desperate fighting have achieved the most glorious victory of the war. The fighting ceased on the evening of the third, but until now have had no chance to write, and even now my facilities for writing are very poor, but I will give you the best narrative of events I can. . . . We had a splendid position, our line being somewhat shaped like a V. which was close to the town and on a high eminence, in open fields where we had some 40 pieces of artillery planted. During the entire engagement, this position was shelled by the enemy and in all my experience as heretofore, I was never under such terrible shelling. On Thursday the 2nd with the exception of occasional cannon, all was quiet until about 3 o’clock P.M. when the rebels opened all the batteries on our left. . . . Two of our very best men, Corporal Isaac Norris and Sergeant John Troth were killed, both instantly. Norris was carrying the flag which was presented to us by the ladies of Spencer. A ball had previously shot the staff in two pieces. He was then shot by a ball through the head, and never knew more. Troth was shot through the heart, and never spoke. I could have laid my hand on him when he fell. Strange to say, none were wounded — all came out unscathed. I cannot say too much in praise of the two brave men who fell, nor have I time to say what I would like. None ever fell more nobly, none were ever mourned more by surviving comrades. . . .

The rebels had thus far been repulsed with heavy loss on all sides, but not an inch of ground had been taken from us. But the heaviest fighting was yet to come. . . . At 10 o’clock [on July 3rd], finding that they could not break our right wing, they fell back. Comparative quiet then prevailed until about five in the evening. At this time, they massed all their forces for a last bold dash. It seems that every available man was put in their column for this desperate onslaught. The attack was made a little to the left of our center, and they came on with tremendous power. They had to pass over open fields under our artillery which opened with a roar of thunder upon them, and thinned their ranks. Three times were they repulsed. Again they swept forwards while our infantry advanced upon the open plain to meet them, and then commenced the last and bloodiest conflict. It was soon decided. Our men swept the field like a tornado, left it strewn with the dead and dying, captured several thousands, and were victors on the bloody field. This was a grand and glorious moment. All our banners floated, and from one end of our line to the other, tens of thousands sent up their cheers. Thus ended the three days’ conflict — Fighting a desperate foe for three days on the 1st 2nd + 3rd of July the Army of the Potomac, long resting under the disgrace of public opinion, celebrated the glorious 4th of July with their guns still black with powder, and on the very field where they had vindicated their bravery.

I have not been over the battle field, to a great extent. But every where may be seen all the horrific remains of a bloody day. When circumstances allow I will write you more particulars — All the boys of Co. H were in the engagement and all did their whole duty. Our flag has many scars, and I shall send it home for safe keeping soon.

I will write again when I can. Show this to father, as I may not get to write to them at once. We will leave here probably to-day. No more at present, only my love for you, and all — God bless you.

Your loving husband,

David

Source: David Beem to His Wife, July 5, 1863, Indiana Historical Society, http://images.indianahistory.org/cdm/ref/collection/dc008/id/144.