[CIVIL WAR]. Soldier's letter written by Jacob Pyewell, Company I, 106th Pennsylvania Infantry, describing the Battle of Antietam. "Near Sharpsburg Maryl," 20 [September?] 1862.

4 pages, 4 7/8 x 7 7/8 in. Addressed to the writer's mother.

Writing from "near Sharpsburg the place of the Big Battle," Pyewell reports: "I tell you we had a hot time of it here but thank God I got out all right safe and sound without a scratch there were none killed in our Company but there were severral wonded [sic] But none dangerously. Wm McNeel and Jas Taylor were bouth [sic] wonded but from what I can learn not dangerously."

Unfortunately, Pyewell was incorrect on the last assessment, as Corporal William McNeal, Company C, was listed as KIA at Antietam, 17 September 1862.

Widening his lens to the regiment, Pyewell writes: "There were a great many out of our Ridgement [sic] killed & wonded John McLughlin [sic] the man that use to drive Marshall Garrett wagon was killed and also old Farridy son the ice man son."

John McLaughlin, Company E, was listed as KIA at Antietam, 17 September 1862.

Describing the battle, he writes: "I tell you we had a hot time of it here. The bullets wissed [sic] thick around us. I hope this will be the last of the fighting. I tell you it is awfull [sic] to think[?] and see the men getting killed of [sic] so our Col. Horse was shot from under him and also our adgutant [sic] horse I tell you it was awfull this will be and [sic] awfull blow to the Rebels I bet they regreted [sic] the day that they ever crossed into Maryland. I tell you the dead are lying thick on the field..."

Turner Gustavus Morehead (1814-1892) was commissioned Colonel of the 106th Pennsylvania on 28 August 1861, leading that regiment into the battle at Antietam the following year. He is remembered for his refusal to surrender, and received a brevet to brigadier general near the war's end.