Lieutenant William James Fisher, Civil War Soldier

My Dear Father:

Since I last wrote you we have moved camp and are now about five miles from Falmouth and about one mile and half from United States Ford. Our 1st Brigade is at U. S. Ford. The 3rd is at Bank’s Ford while we are held in reserve to support either party.

The orderly just brought me a circular issued by General Hooker, saying that the Army must be held in readiness to move at a very short notice, with three days cooked rations and all the supply baggage sent to the rear. That, I think, indicates a move in a very short time but, which way we will move, remains to be seen.

I hardly think we will make another attempt to cross the River as I believe the enemy has a force superior to our own. I think General Hooker intends to stand on the defense, until the enemy attacks us. Whether we are successful or not, will decide future movements.

Some think we go back towards Washington and perhaps have a 3rd Bull Run. I don’t think we will. I am inclined to think we will hold our position on this side of the River at least as long as we can.

Three men of our Division are sentenced, by a General Court Marshall, to be shot today at 12 o’clock. Fortunately for them, they were reprieved by the President and got the news about two hours before the time of execution.

I should like to have got on Mustering Duty this summer but, I suppose, there is no chance now; owing to my failure to call on the Governor. I didn’t know he was here, but so much for unfortunate mishaps. If I could have got on Mustering Duty, I would have been on some General’s staff, and had a chance to distinguish myself, or perhaps extinguish myself.

I suppose the Governor thinks I’m an untamed cannibal. Perhaps before a week passes, I may be a tamed cannibal.

Give my love to all the family and write soon.

Your son, W. J. Fisher

Address letters to: Lt. W. J. Fisher, 10th Infantry, Head Qtrs. Centre Grand Division, Army of the Potomac, Near Washington, D. C.

William Fisher Letter Home

William Fisher Letter Home

William Fisher Letter Home

I. M. Fisher Esq., My Dear Sir:

Your son George has called on me for a newspaper having an account of your son’s death, said to have taken place at Gettysburg, Pa.

I have looked through the casualties pretty generally and have failed to find the name of your son, but I find that of Lt. Harvey Fisher, 145th Pa. Vols. He was wounded which, I expect, gave rise to the report of your son being killed.

I am unwell at this time; hardly able to sit up, and have not been from home since last Thursday.

Respectfully yours, I. N. Fooks

I.N. Fooks to Isaac Fisher

Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War

My Dear Sir:

The bearer here of is Mr. Fisher, the father of Lt. W. J. Fisher of the 10th Regt., U. S. Infantry, who is reported killed in the battle of Gettysburg; he is seeking his son’s body and any facility you can afford him will be gratefully appreciated by him and yours most truly.

William Cannon, Gov. Del

William Cannon to Edwin Stanton

My Dear:

It is 10 o’clock and I have retired to my rooms to grieve in private. Our worst fears are realized and I know that William is no more.

I have seen Lt. Bradford, who is at home, slightly wounded in the foot, and he told me that he saw the dead body of our dear boy.

He was killed on Thursday the 2nd of July as we supposed by a musket or rifle ball in or through the body and was buried with the other officers named in the list which we saw on the battlefield.

Lt. Bradford says he thinks they were put in coffins and that I shall be able to obtain his body and if I do, I will have it with me when I get home.

Lt. Bradford also thinks I shall obtain his sword and other personal effects which will be very valuable to us as mementoes.

My heart sinks as I contemplate this sad desperation. We have made the most costly sacrifice that we could possibly offer on the altar of our country and if it is not sufficient we must perish.

How my heart bleeds as I call up past reminisces of our poor boy. I remember the first sound I ever heard issued from his mouth, poor little heed-less innocent babe.

If I have ever done wrong by him, if any thing, I trust I may be forgiven.

I leave at 5 o’clock in the morning for Baltimore and thence by the nearest route to the battlefield from whence I will write again if I can.

Yours affectionately, Isaac M. Fisher

Isaac Fisher to Mrs. Sarah Fisher

Isaac Fisher to Mrs. Sarah Fisher

Isaac Fisher to Mrs. Sarah Fisher

My Dear Dr:

I introduce Isaac M. Fisher, Esq. He goes to Gettysburg to recover the body of his son who was killed in battle—

I know you will give him any information and facility and you will particularly oblige me.

Yours truly, N. B. Smithers

N.B. Smithers to Doctor

Dr. Wagner:

Allow me to introduce to you Mr. Isaac M. Fisher, father of Lt. Fisher, 10th Infantry—who is reported killed—Please give Mr. F. what assistance you can in finding the body of his son.

Obliged. Yours truly, C.W. Jones, Surgeon

CW Jones to Dr Wagner

[On the back of the cover, IMF wrote in pencil: “1st Lieut. Lauman of the 10th can tell me all about. 2nd Lt. Hamilton took his watch, etc. Write to him. Capt. Wm. Clinton can tell me about it.”]

5th Corps Hospt.

Go out the Baltimore Pike about 2 1/2 miles cross Rock Creek Bridge. Take the first road on the right at the white church. Follow this road into 2nd Div., 5th Corps Hospital–Lt Boyce, 10th US Infantry is most likely to be found in the town—

Dr. Clinton Wagner in charge. Lt. Boyce wounded & in Gettysburgh —-ask for him.

On the reverse of this note, these names were listed:

Iarus Hoof, Franin Gillis, Thomas U. Lawrence, Peter Shanley

[at] Annapolis Junction: Frederick Ostenberger, S. J. Young

5th Corps Hospital Directions

5th Corps Hospital Directions (reverse)

My Dear:

I arrived at this place night before last, Tuesday night, about 10 o’clock, having come up the last 18 miles on the top of the cars in the rain.

I spent the day yesterday until twelve or one o’clock, hunting for the grave of our dear boy and succeeded in finding it out in a field not far from a farm house, a half mile, I suppose, from the spot where he fell. I learned from Lt. Boyce, one of his comrades, who is in the hospital wounded, and who says he saw him fall.

I shall have his body taken up this morning and embalmed and try and get it home. I should have gotten it up last evening, if I could have had a coffin ready, but I failed to get one.

I hope to get home on Saturday.

Yours affectionately, I. M. Fisher

Isaac Fisher to Mrs. Sarah Fisher

Isaac M. Fisher, Esq.

When I heard my brother telling, among other scenes at Gettysburg, of the death of Lieut. Fisher, for whom he had the most sincere esteem, I said, “I wish his friends could know about it, for I know how satisfactory it would be to them, to learn any little incident connected with him.”

He said he had not your address, and furthermore, he was confident you would go to Gettysburg and there learn more than he could tell; and in any event, Lt. Hamilton would send you a detailed account of the sad occurrence.

My uncle met Judge Fisher a few days ago and obtained your address. My Brother’s wound is so much worse. He is not able to sit up and can not write.

I know you must feel a painful interest to gather any thing relating to your son’s death; the slightest word that will tell you of the last hours of a loved one.

I send, with assurances of our deepest sympathy, what Robert has told me.

It was just before sunset—some one standing near my brother said, “Fisher is hit.”—he turned and saw him with his hands upon his breast—his head soon fell forward and he dropped easily to the ground, without speaking, or making any sign of suffering. At that moment, they were ordered to fall back —my Brother with Lieut. Hamilton and the Sergeant carried him some distance, when the Sergeant was wounded and fell, and Lt. Hamilton was called away.

During that time, though living, he did not speak. Robert, who is large and strong, then lifted him alone, as he would a child, and carried him to a stream, when he was himself wounded in the leg, and obliged to lay him down. There was no struggle, and a more serene death could not be.

Lieut. Hamilton then came up, and Robert, unable to do more, left him to his care.

We saw his body afterward at the hospital lying bedside that of Genl. Weed.

Lt. Boyce also told him that Lt. Hamilton had taken his watch, [illegible] etc and would attend to having them sent to his friends.

Just before the engagement, Lt. Fisher asked my Brother if he would take his haversack. He did not feel well enough to carry it, but took it, but soon after, when Capt. Clinton dismounting from his horse, Robert fastened it to his saddle. Undoubtedly, Lt. Fisher was wearied with the long marching and the excitement, contingent upon the approaching battle.

He sent no dying message to you, and I presume you have no mind of such from him, for, I doubt not, his whole life has been a ministry of love to you—as well as to the country.

O, how beautiful to think of now!

I trust his glorious death, and the sweet remembrance you have of his life, will bring you comfort in this great sorrow.

It would be a satisfaction to us, and to my brother especially, who belonged to the same Regt. that your son did—(Lieut. Robert G. Welles, 10th US Infantry) to learn whether you recovered the body of your son—and if you received his watch etc.

With the most sincere sympathy for yourself and family in this affliction,

I am truly your friend, Anna M. Welles

Anna Wells to Isaac Fisher

Anna Wells to Isaac Fisher

Anna Wells to Isaac Fisher

Anna Wells to Isaac Fisher

Mr. Isaac M. Fisher, My dear friend:

Your favor to Sergeant Callaway was received at 2 ½ o’clock announcing that you expected the remains of your son yesterday and that you expected to bury him this afternoon at 3 o’clock.

I regret that we did not hear it sooner as we should have attended the funeral had we of known of it in time. My dear son, I truly sympathize with you and your family in this affliction (the loss of your son) for verily it is a sore affliction to you all, but you must remember that our heavenly father, who disposes every event, does nothing wrong and Undoubtedly designs that the afflictions sent to us (for who escapes them) shall be the means of leading us nearer to him whilst we journey through this wicked world.

With my regards to you and your family

I am yours truly, Robert C. Hall

Robert C. Hall to Isaac Fisher

Dear Brother:
I suppose you have been informed of the death of our dear cousin, William J. Fisher? He was killed at the battle of Gettysburg on the 2nd of July (Thursday). He was in command of a Company and was leading his men in a charge when he was killed. He did not live but a few minutes after he was struck. He was buried on the battle field and laid for two weeks, and he was taken up and brought home and buried.
His funeral was preached by the Rev. Mr. Massey.
It was just a week ago today that he was buried.
I was at the burial and I was very sorry that you was not there for I know that you wanted to be.
As for my part, I always thought as much of Cousin Will as if he had been my Brother.
You know that he staid at our house a year or two which made me think more of him. It made him seem more like a brother to us.
I said that he was taken up and brought home, but I did not tell you who did it. Uncle Isaac went after him when he heard that he was killed.
The way that he was buried on the battlefield was this: he was wrapped up in his blanket and laid in the ground without any coffin so that when he was taken up, his face and head was swelled so that you would not know him (so Uncle Isaac said). He was not opened at his last burial so that he was not seen by any one, not even his mother.
When I see you I will tell you more about it. You, nor I, will ever see him here any more. ________ ____________
You wanted me to tell you how much wheat we raised. We raised in all 2 and a ½ bushels of wheat and 41 bushels of rye. We ourselves raised 33 and a ½ bushels. It was very wet and [illegible] smelled badly so that I expect 30 bushels will measure it. [illegible] was not expected.
I am writing this in my school room after school so that I am here by myself; the scholars having gone home.
It is getting most dark so I will have to close.
You must write as soon as you receive this. I will write to you again before long.
Don’t show this to any one.
The reason I have not written before is because I have not felt much like doing anything and I expected you got Uncle Isaac’s letter informing you on Cousin Will’s death?
When you write, tell me whether you did get it or not.
Our wheat has been threshed more than once.
In your next letter ask me anything you want to know and I will tell you if I can.
Your affectionate Brother, Will
N. B. You must not let anybody see this for it is written so badly that I should be ashamed of it.
Your Bro., Will