July 4th , 1863
Dear Hope,
You have left us far behind. I wish that I could remember you clearly, but sadly I do not. I wish that you could remember us at all, but clearly you will not. I find that I am losing myself in sorrow without you here to hold my head above the flood.
We are pulling out.
Lee is retreating.
Will you believe me? I can hardly believe myself and I am taking place in this tragedy. It was a horrendous sight. For three days there was nothing but a consistent rain of bullets resulting in unaccountable deaths. Broken bodies lying carelessly askew across that godforsaken battle field. My friends and my countrymen rest there now, as do my enemies.
The image haunts me every time that I blink back the tears. There is no time for tears in war.