The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-06-14

a few days before the battle Of Gettys-
burg.
Olo, Va.
I've find that nothing we publish is of
more interest 70 our readers than copies
OF letters that Were written from the
camps to friends at home. Here is the
ono mentioned ove,--Editor9
Camp of Pickett's Division.
Near Chambersburg.
Franklin County, Pa,
June 20. 1868.
Dear Brother,--As we are resting here
to-day take the opportunity of writing
few lines to let you hear how am
getting on. This leaves me ENJOYING good
health. i was very sick on the march
after leaving our camp near Culpeper
Courthouse. We had to march very hard
and the sun was very hot. The country
was mountainous--very much so. AS we
nea,ed the Blue Ridge ] got entirely bro
Ken down. never saw so many broken
down men on one march before. Men
Just tainted and fell by the roadside
On the 22d we crossed the Shenandoah
at singers Gap and camped In the beau
tifnl Valley of Virginia. not far from the
town of Berryrille. After leaving TINS
camp 1t was more pleasant. The weather
was cooler aud ] seemed to get over be-
ing sick very fast The next night we
camped at Darksville. on the Winchester
Turnpike. Next day we went on through
Martinsburg. Nine miles above this place
we came in sight Of the Maryland shore.
and the boys sang MARYLAND, My Mary
land
We crossed the Potomac at Williams
port and wadet the river. Picketts d.
vision were all in at once. with behring's
Battalion of field artillery coming IN our
rear. AS we came out on the north side
we camped near Hagerstown. Md. that
night.
AS told you in my last letter. there
was n man in our company to be shot.
His execution came off the first night we
sot In Maryland. We, stopped at night
in large open field. Garnetts Brigade
was formed into a hollow square. leaving
one side open. There were twelve men
detailed ont OF our company to shoot
him. and among that number was one.
1t was very trying to me, but am here
for duty. and that is thing ! Intend to
do at all times as far as know how.
We had n splendid band of music. which
went in front of u.s. Next to them were
twelve of us. with our guns. Next came
-four members of the Pioneer Corps With
the coffin. Then came the provost guard,
with the prisoner. The band played softly
and sweetly some funeral d1rge, which
made us feel very sad indeed. Then. with
Lieutenant Miller In front, we marched
slowly around the brigade. Then we
stopped in front. Mr.. Granbery. chap
lain OF the Eleventh Virginia Regiment,
prayed a long and beautiful prayer. af-
ter which we were marched about ten
yards In front. Lieutenant Miller tied the
man to the stake and blindfolded him.
Just before lhe was hlndfolded he looked
at us and said: Good bye. boys y.
Lieutenant Miller gave the order to
make ready, take aim and fire. and We
all fired at once. In twenty seconds the
prisoner was dead. The hand struck up
the same sad funeral dirge and tho bril-
gade was marched right by the coffin,
and all who chose looked upon the dead.
The body was then borne to the grave
by the Pioneer Corps, where 1t was bur-
led the 18th of June, near Hagerstown,
Md. and that was the last of poor John
Riley. who Joined the army twice as a
substitute and deserted both times-once
while in line OF battle near Fredericks-
burg. s ~
We are in the North now. we entered
the State at Greencastle. We have q
large army and hope to be victorious and
get hack to Virginia safe
The country from here to the Potomac
is the finest I ever saw. Wheat crops are
very fine. and there are also large num-
bers OF fine horses and cattle. Portions of
tile army have gone towards Carlisle;
others to York. We have beautiful
camp near town and the Confederate
flag is flying from the top of the court
house In the center of the town
Write soon. Your brother,
NJ T. -.OORE,
Company =. Eighteenth Va. Regiment.
Garnett's Brigade, Pickett's Division.