1861 July 23 Alexandria Va

this battle was on the 21st July 61. [Note by John Leavitt]

Dear Father--I thought I would write to you & let you know that
I was in the great Fight last Sunday & that we lost the Captain it
is the first bit of powder that I ever smelt in battle I can say I am will
ing if it is the first battle, I can say that I am willing to go again I felt
perfectly cool, since the fight we have traveled over 40 miles from Bull run
to this place we dont know whether the Captain was taken prisoner or was
shot any way whether he was shot or killed, he proved himself true to
his Flag, I have had no time to write before. I feel so fatigued with the
march that I want to get some sleep I remain your son truely Jos Leavitt
I want you to write as soon as you get this

Joseph Leavitt was in the 5th Maine.

Letters from Joseph Leavitt and his brother George Leavitt were copied into a ledger by their father John Leavitt in October 1865: "because they are of value to me and I was fearful that they might get mislaid." Both boys were mortally wounded in the war, George at Second Bull Run, August 30, 1862, and Joseph at Spotsylvania, May 18, 1864.



MSS 66