This was written by Irving Putnam 9th New York Cavalry. His unit was an active combat regiment and has the distinction of firing the first shot at Gettysburg. This was written just after Brandy Station while keeping eyes on JEB Stuart and hoping to keep him out of Maryland and Pennsylvania. The transcription of letter is as follows:

Catlet Station, Va. June 13th, 1863

Dear Sister:

Tho I had sealed and stamped my letter before I thought of enclosing this allotment check and thinking that if I kept it much longer I might lose it, I have concluded to send it in this letter. We were paid when we were at Stafford C.H. two months pay, but I have not been permitted to send this until now. I have received a part of those papers and I suppose the remainder of them are at our old camp near Brooks Station. Serg't Caldwell was left there in charge of the camp, and I think he has got them, but I understand that they are all coming here today or tomorrow, and this will be our camp for some time.

I was reading an account in yesterday's paper of the Cavalry fight. I suppose you have read it before this. When we commenced to cross in the morning there was a heavy mist or fog so that the enemy could not see us in time to prepare for us. But before our advance had gone far they opened fire on us. A part of the 8th N.Y. were ahead, the 8th Illinois next, and the 3rd Ind. (to which we are attached) were the third. It is said of the 8th N.Y. that when Colonel Davis ordered them to charge on the Enemy, they flinched; and while he was waving his sabre for them to come on, a rebel rode out from behind a tree and shot him. Just as our regiment had got across the ford, we saw them carrying him back in a blanket. His head was covered with blood and when we got up in the woods, we saw the Rebel who shot him lying at the side of the road dead.

Our regiment was first sent up on our right and commenced skirmishing, but were soon ordered down to our left where we made the charge. It is stated in the paper that we then captured fifty prisoners but were not able to bring them all in. I do not doubt but what there were that number that threw down their arms and surrendered, but there were only seventeen who were taken. They tell about the bravery of the Rebels. I think if a person is called brave by acting as they did, I do not wish to belong to the brave. They would get behind stumps and bushes and when we got near enough, they would fire at us and then jump up and surrender. So in that way they would give us no chance at all. Those that did run got some pretty good shots at them.

Lieutenant Herrick was not wounded until we had driven the rebels from the woods and were supporting two pieces of artillery some two miles distant from the river. We were drawn up in line of battle. The Rebels were drawn in line on another hill when they commenced shelling us. One shell struck just in front of us and wounded Herrick in the leg. Another shell bursted amongst us and killed two horses. Our whole Cavalry force lay near here and it is probable that we will not make another move unless Stuart concludes to make that raid into Maryland and Pennsylvania which he was about ready to make when we crossed over to see him. If he does try it I think he will meet with some opposition. I believe this is all for the present. Write soon.

Excuse bad writing from,

Your Brother

Irvin

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