Jesse Harrison Died From His Gettysburg Wounds

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Raynors Spring Americana Auction - Feb 28 Par...

By Raynor's Historical Collectible Auctions

Feb 28, 2026

Set Reminder 2026-02-28 10:00:00 2026-02-28 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Raynors Spring Americana Auction - Feb 28 Part1 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/raynors-historical-auctions/raynors-spring-americana-auction---feb-28-part1-22414
Fascinating Americana Auction offering item in all periods of American history., from colonial through WWII. The items are offered as Autographs, Broadsides, Civil Wat Relics, Civil War Diaries, Confederate items. Political, Presidential, 20th Century Israel, Early Sports. Raynor's Historical Collectible Auctions bob@hcaauctions.com

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  Nine Letters Grouping of Jesse Harrison - AND A Letter From His Daughter Who Was With Him at His Death - AND SIXTEEN Pieces of Harrison Related War date DocumentsJesse Harrison Jesse enlisted on 20 September 1862 to serve three years in Co. I, 143rd Pennsylvania Infantry. He was mustered in as 1st Sergeant on 18 October 1862 under the command of Col. Edmund L. Dana. He remained with his company until he was mortally wounded in the 1st day’s fighting at Gettysburg. He died at Camp Letterman—the field hospital set up near Gettysburg—on 20 August 1863 from the wound of his shattered right thigh. His 19 year-old daughter Mary came to the camp hospital to care for her father but could not save him. Her letter to her mother is the last letter in this collection. Curiously, Mary mentions having become acquainted with Julia Culp of Gettysburg fame while staying in Gettysburg in the weeks following the battle.#1 Four pages, datelined; Camp Slocum, November 30, 1862 to friends, wife, children, father and all. In part, “Yesterday for the first time since we left Virginia I went out of our camp to visit the Boys who lie in the hospitals in and around the City of Washington. Charles Wm. Betzenberger, a very worthy young man, sergeant of our company, and I left about half past 7 a.m. ... He says D. W. [Daniel W. Harrison, 56th Penn.] was all right when he left but how the poor boy is by this time we know not. Many skirmishes have taken place since he left. I have written to him but have received no answer. If you hear from him, let me know immediately. ... I had not told you that a man by the name of [George] Platt of our regiment died last Friday night in the hospital. He was much thought of in his company ...”#2 Four pages on patriotic stationary, datelined ; Camp near Fort Slocum, December 5th 1862, to Mary. In part, “And once more, through the mercy of Divine Providence, I can say that I am well and I do sincerely hope this may find you all enjoying the greatest of blessings conferred upon us while in this world. ... Simon Hubler has not been very well for some days though he is better now so as to be on duty today. Our Boys are generally well though I had ten of them in the hospital today, none of them seriously sick excepting Thomas Devenport who looks bad though I think he is better than he was yesterday. ... Tell Mat I want her to be a good girl and not to indulge too much in frivolous expressions, and the same to you. ...”#3 Four pages with cover, datelined; Camp near Fort Slocum, to December 19th 1862, Much esteemed and dear gals. In part, “after ruminating over many scenes and transactions of my past life, made up my mind that I cannot pass the time in a more profitable way to me than to converse with you, though I may not write anything that will interest you. Yet to think of the many pleasant hours we have passed together in singing and other past times is one of my chief amusements while thus separated from those whom I highly esteem and respect. ... And you are both old enough to realize and know that hope maketh the heart whole. ...”#4 Four pages on patriotic letterhead, datelined; Camp near Fort Slocum, December—no, January 2, 1863, to Martha. In part, “Wes Hoyt has been in the Gen. Hospital so much that I have not found out particulars about the Joe Lockard matter yet. I have written so often that I have spun out and I guess you will think so when you read this. ... Mary spoke about my not writing to mother. I have written three times to her and received no answer and have concluded to drop the correspondence if it has to be all on one side. ...”#5 Four pages on patriotic letterhead, datelined:Camp near Fort Slocum, Sunday Eve, January 11th 1862 [should be 1863] to Mary and All. In part, “It grieved me to hear that your mother is sick and would to God that I could drop in according to your wish. I feel that I would try to comfort her in her afflictions. You must fill my place. Do all you can for her. She has suffered much for you. And a mother. Oh, Mary, the value of ones’ own mother, we never appreciate. We never realize their worth until we are deprived of their kindness, of their faithfulness towards us, of their oft repeated kindly admonitions, and of the benefits we receive through the many sacrifice, both of health and comfort for us. ... And now, to Phebe I would say the image of your pensive face is continually before my eyes and I feel that for your sake I had ought to be with you and had I the wings of a dove, how soon would I use and soar above the pickets and guards with which we are now surrounded, though I would not desert ... Did Martha tell you that [Warren H.] Crego was dead? If I wrote anything of the kind, I must have been asleep when I wrote. He is not dead but has been on the sick list for several days. ...”#6 Four pages, datelined; Camp near Fort Slocum, February 11th 1862 [should be 1863] to Father, wife childreen and all. In part, “I have what is already on my back, consisting of 2 shirts, 1 pair drawers, 1 pair pants, 1 vest, 1 dress coat, 1 pair socks, and a noble pair of boots, for which I a also indebted to you. Also my old hat which I wear yet as a general thing, though I have Lieutenant’s cap on tonight. You would smile to see me. ... I have a good Enfield rifle with fixed bayonet and 60 rounds of cartridge, 16 of which will weigh a pound, then cartridge box, cap box, belt, shoulder belt, sword and sword belt, revolver, haversack with five days rations, canteen filled with coffee 3 pints, and last of all that I can carry is my knapsack in which I now have 6 shirts, two pair drawers, a lot of bandages to up wounds if I happen to have courage enough to get close enough to to the enemy to receive them, one woolen blanket ... Still our orders are to keep our moveables packed and now I must come to a close as my left eye is still too weak to write much by candle light. ... Rhone deserted last Monday. We had treated them too well though their father are more to blame than them. ..”#7 Four pages, datelined; Camp Dana, King George county, Va. Saturday, February 7th 1863, to dearest friends, father, wife, children and all. In part, “ I cherish ever association of the many happy days I have passed in Old Luzerne, and I am perfectly contented when off duty, and have leisure to ruminate and even when on duty, which is almost constantly, I enjoy it seldom getting weary, often relieving my comrades by carrying in addition to my own load, a portion of theirs. ... And of the multitude of incidents, transactions, and eventful events of the last two weeks, I hardly know which to relate, or what would be the most interesting to you though as I sit in our little log tent, the dimensions of which are 12 feet by 14 feet and the height 3 and a half feet, on the top of which our canvas is fastened ... The reason for which is I was kept in duty yesterday and last night until half past nine, and this morning after roll call, morning reports, and inspection, I went over to see Dan. I met him coming over to see me and as I had not been over to his camp, he turned round and we went over to the camp of the 7th Indiana & 56th [Pennsylvania], who are together. Though Dan’s tent is nearly a half mile farther in to which we went, to give you a description of it would require language of which I am not master. ... “#8 Four pages, datelined; Camp Dana, April 23, 1863 to My dear friends, father, wife, children and all. In part, “Yes, my friends, I feel that I am in the line of duty from which I would not swerve and my regrets are only the being deprived of the society of my family and friends and of trying to be a comfort to the few remaining days or years, I hope, of one to whom I owe all I have, or am. ... At half past 11 we started and arrived at Harrisburg at 3 o’clock morning 17th. Halted a few moments and then on to York where we arrived at the break of day. Thus passing along, we arrived at Baltimore half past 10 a.m. and to Washington at noon. ...The Division formed by regiments sharp shooters were selected from different companies, the command of which was given to Capt. Hughes. I was also placed on the right of the same. The Colonel came to us after we had taken our positions and gave us our instructions which was to protect the pontoon bridge builders from the enemy’s fire by popping off all who should appear or molest us. We were then near three miles distant their flags and signal flags waving gracefully or I should say disgracefully in the hill back of the town. After these dispositions were made, our Colonel rode up to us and says, ‘Boys, you have an honorable position and a dangerous one though I have all confidence in your courage and have no doubt you will perform your duty’. We then started about one mile towards town, halted, built fires of secesh fence, cutting off posts and burning rails, thus destroying miles of fence which enclosed the most beautiful plantation I ever saw. ... Gen. Doubleday then gave notice to the inhabitants that they might have two hours to remove the women and children and you would have smiled to have seen them skedaddle over the hill back of the town. Our little army was all on tiptoe expecting a shell or ball to commence the picnic but none came. We then waved the red flag of defiance which was not answered. Our generals then surveyed the defenses of the town and with the help of glasses soon found that appearances were deceitful. Instead of a town nearly deserted except by women and children, they found that the houses and the rifle pits, besides a battery, were filled with men ready to pour a deadly fire upon us as soon as we undertook to cross the river. ....”#9 Four pages, datelined; Camp near Falmouth or Fredericksburg, in the woods near the Rappahannock, May 12, 1863 to his son. In part, “ I had waited long and anxiously for a line from you and at last it came. But you never will know the pleasure until you are situated just as I am which I pray God may never be. But to answer yours, you spoke of planting potatoes. Be careful and select the best seed as some we have been planting hardly pays. ... Telle got with us last Saturday and looks well. He is on picket. I wish you had thought a little sooner about the tobacco though what Herbert sent came first rate, I tell you. ... As for your coming down, I should like very much to see you but even if you started, you could not get here now as our sutlers, one of whom is here and the other in Washington, cannot get back and firth. ... imon Hubler just came and wanted a pass to go and get some tobacco. I gave him one. 39 of our men are out on picket. ...”Note: This letter was written from Camp Letterman near Gettysburg where Jesse Harrison was being treated for his leg wound sustained in the fighting on Day 1 at Gettysburg. His oldest daughter, Mary, wrote the letter to her mother, updating her on her father’s status.#10, Four pages, datelined ; Gettysburg, July 17, 1863 to her mother. In part, “Again I seat myself to let you know of father’s welfare. And I am happy to state that he is much better. The Doctor said today that his leg was closing much better than he had anticipated. If he keeps doing so well ... We have many friends here and form new ones every day—and kind ones too. There is one in particular, her name is Julia Culp. I will tell you more of her next time.... Hattie is sitting before, almost asleep. Telle came to see Father today. They both cried when they met. If I stay, you will have to send by someone me an apron or two, a chemise, &c. One of father’s wounds is beginning to heal. You must not be too flattered for he is not out of danger yet. ... Pap sends kisses to all, Aunt Pettie, you ,Mat, and all. He is in good spirits. ... Men are dying off fast in the hospital. There was one died tonight. ...”(Julia Culp has been forever immortalized in Gettysburg’s history as the sister of John Wesley Culp who hailed from Gettysburg but fought for the Confederacy. Sixteen year-old Julia was the youngest of the Esaias Jesse Culp family. Her brother, John Wesley Culp, was killed on Culp’s Hill on the morning of July 3, 1863 – fighting for the Confederacy. Julia and her sister, Annie, lent their aid in nursing the wounded after the battle. Julia spent many hours assisting in amputations .”#11 Related Ephemera includes: (a.) Cabinet Card Photo, brothers Jesse and Daniel Harrison in full uniform; (b.) CDV of another Harrison in civilian clothes. (c. ) On the reverse of a Magnus Print of Gens. Franklin and Hancock, there is a note “To Antriun B. Harrison, from Jse Harrison, His Father, ‘Remember the many responsibilities resting upon you.’” (d.) The discharge document for Daniel Harrison, March 1, 1864 (e.) Group of THIRTEEN war dated documents, 10” x 15”, each side for a separate soldier of “143rd Pennsylvania, Account of Clothing during his enlistment; the money value of of each issue being hereby acknowledge.” Several have comments such as; John Smith, August 7, 1863; “Died from wounds in action”. (Wounded 5/5/1864 Wilderness, VA., Severe wound in shoulder. He died of wounds on 11/24/1864 at Annapolis, MD.) ... Tilman Strayer “Deserter” ( 8/14/1863 drafted into "K" - deserted on 12/13/1864) ... Lewis Lehman “Died at Richmond Va. while prison of War”. (He died a POW on 2/21/1864 at Richmond, VA). ... Charles Glenden “Died of Wounds rec’d in action” (Wounded 5/6/1864 Wilderness, VA., Severe wound in left arm, amputated, died of wounds on 5/31/1864 at Washington, DC). ... James Kintner “Mustard out to be mustered Lieut. of Col’d Troops” (On 8/30/1864, he was commissioned into "A" Co. US Colored Troops 120th Infantry.)

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