A 34th Regiment's soldier writes about the unit's entry into Pennsylvania

While camped near Fayetteville, Pennsylvania, Lt. George J. Huntley had written to his sister Tincy on June 29, 1863. Lt. Huntley died 3 days later in the Battle of Gettysburg.

 

Huntley, serving in Company I, 34th North Carolina Infantry Regiment, notes that his unit has crossed Maryland to Pennsylvania. He mentions the beauty of the countryside and sends a cautionary word about the war. The upcoming encounter resulted in the Battle of Gettysburg, in which Huntley was wounded on the first day of battle and died July 2, 1863.

George J. Huntley of Rutherford County, North Carolina, enlisted when he was 20 in November 1861. In May 1863, he became a 3rd lieutenant (North Carolina Troops, vol. 9, p. 332). Letter is courtesy of Hunter Library, Western Carolina University.

June the 29th / 63
Camp Near Fayetville Pensylvania
     Dear sister a fiew Lines to
you I am in the Best of health at this time
hoping this Will find you all in the
same Condition I Will only say to you
that We have Crossed the potomach and
has passed through Meriland and is
Now in P A Within 60 miles of harrisburg
the Capital of this state We hant herd
of any Yankees Nearer than harrisburg
the Capital But I Expect that hooker
is Nearer than that We are stoped to
day in a Beautiful Oke grove I Cant tell
whare old Lee Will Carry us tow this
is One of the finest Countrys that I Ever
saw But I hant time to tell you of
any of Our ups and downs Now at this
time tell pap Not to Come to this
War I hant time to tell you Nothing
at this time worth any thing
may heaven Bless you all
     G J Huntly to Tincy Huntly