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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC08913.11 |
| From Archive Folder | Letters from Grove Bell |
| Title | Grove L. Bell to friends at home regarding the Battle of Chancellorsville and injuries sustained by fellow troops |
| Date | 21 May 1863 |
| Author | Bell, Grove L. (1844-1863) |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Received their letter the night before last; would have answered earlier but has had a lot to do. Had a lot of fun bathing and fishing. Recently fought at Chancellorsville. "Anything but fighting for me" after the horror of his first battle. Soldiers used to really want to see a battle, but not anymore. "They have all got enough of it." Vouches for the courage of his compatriots, saying that they would not have retreated had the order not been given. Several of his fellow troops were maimed. One, Herman, lost his leg from below the thigh. Cad, their commander, is trying to get a furlough because "the fight sickened him." |
| Subjects | Civil War Military History Soldier's Letter Union Soldier's Letter Union Forces Battle Injury or Wound Battle of Chancellorsville Sports and Games Bravery |
| People | Bell, Grove L. (1844-1863) |
| Place written | Camp Hope Landing |
| Theme | The American Civil War; Health & Medicine |
| Sub-collection | Papers and Images of the American Civil War |
| Additional Information | Private Bell enlisted in the 20th Connecticut Infantry on August 4, 1862. He was mustered into D Company. In 1862 and 1863 the 20th Connecticut fought as part of the Army of the Potomac and saw action in Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. Although Bell survived extensive action in both these battles, he died on December 4, 1863. Highlights of the collection include a letter describing his action in the battle of Gettysburg, including a harrowing experience where a shell landed within inches of his leg and descriptions of some of the wounds his comrades suffered. The letters also include Bell's doubts about the course of the war: "There [are] a few big men with scraps on their shoulders that are making all of the money. They are the ones keeping this war going." |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Civil War, Reconstruction and the Modern Era: 1860-1945 |
| Civil War: Recipient Relationship | Friend |
| Civil War: Theater of War | Main Eastern Theater |
| Civil War: Unit | 20th Connecticut Infantry |