Last Letter to Gettysburg

“The Civil War has been the background of many stories over the years and the bravery shown by young Levi in Last Letter To Gettysburg ranks with the best of them. His courage will motivate readers to know they can face any tragedy and any situation, even using his courage to inspire the president of the United States of America”.

—Brian Croasmun, Author of The Clemente Ball “An engaging story about a young boy’s discovery of how his family’s experience is woven into the fabric of American history. Jan’s story is broad in scope and narrow in its focus on a family’s response to upheaval and uncertainty of a country in conflict. It explores the costs of sacrifice on individuals and the benefits of sharing hope with others. I really enjoyed the story.”

—Linda and Dick Fonner, Educators and Civil War Reenactors Jan Thornton Jones graduated from West Virginia University with a degree in Elementary Education, a Master’s in Communication Studies, and another Master’s in Early Intervention Special Education. She is a retired Early Childhood teacher. Jan has written two award winning children’s books, The Angel In The Park and Why Me? She has always been fascinated by the heroism, patriotism and bravery of the soldiers on both sides of the Civil War. These acts of valor, along with the ageless wisdom of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, served as the inspiration for Last Letter To Gettysburg.

Last Letter To Gettysburg Jan Thornton Jones

Headline Books, Inc. Terra Alta, WV

Last Letter To Gettysburg

by Jan Thornton Jones Š2021 Jan Thornton Jones All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any other form or for any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage system, without written permission from Headline Books, Inc. To order additional copies of this book or for book publishing information, or to contact the author: Headline Books, Inc. P. O. Box 52 Terra Alta, WV 26764 www.headlinebooks.com Tel: 304-789-3001 Email: mybook@headlinebooks.com ISBN: 9781951556440

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020945606

P R I N T E D I N T H E U N I T E D S T AT E S O F A M E R I C A

This book is dedicated with love to my husband and best friend, Don Jones.

You have encouraged me to follow my dreams, edited my books and inspired me with your love and knowledge of history. I couldn’t have written this book without you!

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Levi Martin climbed to the top of a small hill outside his home in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. His chores for the day were finished and Mama had not yet called him for supper. He leaned against the trunk of a tree and watched as darkness began to fall over the town he and his parents had always called home.

His papa had been a teacher at the Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg.

Mama had taught piano and voice lessons to the daughters of the well-to-do families in the town. Although the Martins were not wealthy, they were well-liked around town and respected as fine educators.

Life was good for Levi. He had loving parents, a small but pretty house on the

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L e v i, & h a r a S t s My deare ve to see lo ld u o w I Oh how is s e d y o u m e v a h I ! each of you w a lk in g f o m a e r d so much. I h the g u o r h t in a g together a t t y s b u rg e G f o s ld ie peaceful f m y s id e . . . y b u o y f o w it h b o t h 6

outskirts of Gettysburg, and he was free to roam the beautiful hills surrounding the little town.

Levi remembered the day Papa told him they needed to have an important talk. He and Papa had walked up the hill and stood leaning against this very tree. “Son,” he said, “I’m going off to war. Several of the men from town have already joined up with the Union Army.

We will be assigned to a regiment of soldiers from Pennsylvania.”

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.. .I alm os t lau gh alo ud w he nI th in k of ho w th e po et de sc ri be s th e “g lo ry of w ar �. I fe el no gl or y in th is w ar . It is co ld an d cr ue l, bu t I do fe el th at it w as ri gh t fo r m e to jo in in th is fi gh t to sa ve ou r U ni on . H ow co ul d I ha ve re sp ec te d m ys el f, ot he rw ise ?

W e ar e en ca m pe d on a hi lls id e ou ts id e F re de ri ck sb urg, Vi rg in ia .

T he re ha s be en fi gh ti ng all ar ou nd us . I am ce rt ai n th at w e w ill se e ba tt le so on .. ..

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With those words, Levi’s world changed. He understood the country was in the midst of a crisis---a civil war.

The United States had been torn into two parts, with the southern states forming their own separate government called the Confederate States of America. But Papa was a teacher! He wasn’t a soldier!

No one would expect him to fight in a war.

Levi remembered Papa’s words, “Son, a man has to live his life the best way he knows how. I wish this war was not happening, but it is. You and I believe slavery is wrong. You and I love this country called the United States of America. But the fact is, it is no longer united. I cannot hide behind a pile of books and declare that because I am a teacher, I do not have to fight. Sometimes, son, you have to fight for what you believe deep in your heart.” And so Papa went off to war.

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some of d a h I h is w ...I sure a ra h . A S , g in k o o c your good way to g n lo a o g o u ld warm meal w a m p s p ir it s d , ld o c y m p ic k in g u p r ig h t n o w .

I had o h w s s e u g Y o u ’ ll n e v e r eet a few m o t y it n u t the oppor ra h a m b A t n e id s e r -P months back tam to ie t n A o t e m ca L in c o ln . H e ll a n . I le C c M l a r e n e s p e a k w it h G s h a k e h is o t h g u o n e w a s lu c k y I was . im h o t k a e sp hand and to c e r it y in s is h y b d e v e r y im p r e s s ld ie r s . . . o s e h t r o f and concer n

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Just remembering that long-ago conversation made Levi fight back the tears. He wiped his face with the back of his sleeve then dug his hand deep into his pocket. He pulled out a small, brass button that had been removed from Papa’s uniform. He held it in the palm of his hand and thought of the day when George Reynolds limped up to the front porch of the little, white house with the bad news. “Mrs. Martin, Levi, I’m afraid your papa has been killed. He died back in December during the battle at Fredericksburg. The entire Union Army suffered terrible losses. I was wounded pretty badly myself. That’s why it took me a while to get here with the news.” After Mr. Reynolds had gone, all they had left of Papa was a few personal belongings, which included the last letter he had written, the small brass button off his uniform, and their memories.

“Levi! Levi, dinner!” Mama’s voice sailed over the distance interrupting his thoughts. He shoved the precious button11

L e v i, I h o p e so m e d ay th at y o u w il l h av e th e c h an c e to m e e t th is g r e at m an !

H e w as q u it e a ta ll m an , an d lo o k e d e v e n ta ll e r b e c au se o f h is st o v e p ip e h at . H e w as d r e ss e d al l in b la c k , as if h e w e r e m o u r n in g th e d e at h o f e ac h f al le n so ld ie r .

I r e m e m b e r h is e y e s lo o k e d so sa d . I w an te d to c o m f o r t h is so r r o w s an d te ll h im th at it w il l b e al r ig h t. T h is c r u e l w ar w il l e n d an d th e U n io n w il l b e p r e se r v e d !

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down deep into his pocket, wiped his eyes one last time, and took off running.

He must not worry Mama. He was all she had left.

Between mouthfuls of venison stew, Levi told Mama about the excitement happening. Tomorrow was to be the dedication of the national cemetery at Gettysburg. It had been four months since the terrible battle between the northern and the southern armies had been fought in the once peaceful fields and orchards surrounding their little town.

“Mama, there’s going to be a parade with a brass band. The main speaker is going to be Mr. Edward Everett, who has traveled all the way from Massachusetts just to speak at our ceremony. But Mama, you’ll never guess who is also going to be there tomorrow-----President Abraham Lincoln! He came into town on a special train today. He’s spending the night here in Gettysburg. Wouldn’t you just love to meet him, Mama? Wouldn’t you?”

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“Levi, I know how you want to meet President Lincoln. I don’t want you to get your hopes up, though. From what I’ve heard, there will be a large crowd at the dedication ceremony tomorrow. I doubt you will be able to get close enough to the President to even see him, much less to speak to him. Now finish eating your supper and then make sure the dog is tied up. We wouldn’t want him to bite the seat out of President Lincoln’s britches tonight, would we?”

The next morning turned out to be a beautiful, crisp, autumn day. It was the 19th day of November 1863. In other parts of the country, the great battles between the North and the South raged on. This day though, thousands of people poured into Gettysburg for the dedication of the new cemetery to honor the soldiers who had died there.

Levi and his mama joined the group of people moving down the street. Mama was still clothed all in black, out of respect for Papa, who had died only eleven 15

is ta n c e , I d e th in ff o ar .F .. m an d b u g le u r d a m o fr c si u m h e ar e h ill si d e . c o r p s c am p e d o n th h u d d le d am I d an g n lli fa is t N ig h in g to fi n is h y r t e r fi a f o t n o in fr th is le tt e r . e young se I ay d y r ve e , vi e L c h o ld e r th an u m t o n e ar o h w s boy ar . I w o u ld w is th in g n ti h g fi you e x p e r ie n c e r ve e to u o y t an w not h av e se e n in I at th s e ar tm h ig n th e ay w it h y o u r st , n so e as le P . e tl b at h e r !. ..

M am a an d p r o te c t 16

months before. In the distance, a band was playing. Levi and Mama paused at the entrance to the cemetery so that they could catch a glimpse of the President as the parade of soldiers and the many important guests entered the grounds.

When President Lincoln rode past on his horse, he happened to look in their direction and touched the brim of his hat as a greeting. Mama whispered, “There goes a man with the burdens of an entire country on his shoulders. I feel quite sorry for the poor soul.� After the procession filed through, Mama and Levi followed silently with thoughts of Papa, who was buried so far from home.

The ceremony began with a flourish.

The band played, politicians welcomed the crowd to the special dedication of the Gettysburg National Cemetery.

Women daintily dried their tears as the main speaker, Edward Everett, spoke of the bravery of these dead heroes. Levi, who was having difficulty seeing over the heads of the crowd, left Mama’s side and 17

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climbed high into the branches of a large oak tree.

From his vantage point in the tree, he could see not only the platform where the ceremony was taking place, but the whole battlefield. He thought about the day four months ago, when he stood atop the hill by his own little house and watched the tired, weary soldiers march by. When the actual fighting began, Mama insisted they hide in the root cellar. He could still remember the thunder of the cannons in the distance and the horrible sights they found when at last they ventured out after the three-day battle. Levi and his Mama did what they could to help the wounded soldiers. They volunteered for months in the many hospitals set up all over town.

Levi’s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of applause. He turned towards the speaker’s platform and saw President Abraham Lincoln walk towards the front.

The President put on his spectacles and pulled from his pocket two pieces of paper. He cleared his throat and began: 19

. . . A lt h o u g h I w is h t h a t we were not ap art, I feel t hat I a m s e r v in g a n o b le c a u s e in t h is w a r . E v e n if I have to sa c r if ic e m y o w n li f e , T h e u n it y of the U n it e d S t a t e s o f A m e r ic a and the persona l freedom t hat our c o n s t it u t io n stands for m ust be u p h e ld . . .

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“Fourscore and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth upon this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation— or any nation, so conceived and so dedicated—can long endure.

We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We are met to dedicate a portion of it as the final resting place...

The world will very little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here... ...that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that the nation shall, under God, have a new birth of freedom, and that the government of the people by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

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Re me mb er so n, so me tim es a ma n mu st fi gh t fo r wh at he be lie ve s in ...

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The crowd clapped politely, not fully understanding the importance of the message. President Lincoln turned and slowly walked back to his seat. He neatly folded the document and placed it and his spectacles inside his jacket as the ceremony came to an end.

After standing for well over two hours listening to the speeches, most people were eager to depart for the comfort of their own homes. Levi, however, sat in the branches of the big old tree and thought about the words that President Lincoln had just spoken. He pulled from his pocket his papa’s last letter. A jumble of thoughts rushed through his head. “Levi, I hope someday you have a chance to meet this great man...His eyes looked so sad...I wanted to comfort his sorrows...

Tell him that it will be alright...The Union will be preserved!”

Levi scampered down from the branches of the tree. With his papa’s letter in hand, he rushed across the field, dodging the crowd of departing 23

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people. He was temporarily slowed down by the crush of people surrounding the speaker’s stand—all trying to get a word with the important people still lingering on the platform. He managed to push through to the front. President Lincoln was still there.

“Mr. President!” he pleaded. “President Lincoln, please, may I talk with you for a moment?” His young voice shouted over the noise of the people surrounding the platform. Two soldiers quickly moved in and started to push him back as Abraham Lincoln looked to see who was calling for him. “President Lincoln, please, I must see you. It’s about my Papa. Please, sir!”

“Let the boy through, please,” the President said as he held out a welcoming hand for Levi. “Now, what is it that I can do for you, son?”

“I’m fine, sir. There’s nothing you can do for me. I think I can do something for you. My Papa, before he died for the Union cause, wrote me a letter. He told me about meeting you one time at 25

So me tim es , ev en on e pe rs on ca n ma ke a bi g di ff er en ce .

T o yo u bo th , I se nd all of my yo u lo ve . M y th ou gh ts ar e wi th th yo u da ily , an d my pray er s ar e wi t ba tt le ni gh tly . W he n th e las t gr ea ns ar e ha s be en fo ug ht an d th e gu u. U nt il sil en ce d, I wi ll re tu r n to yo th en ... er , Yo ur lo vi ng hu sb an d an d fa th Ro be rt

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Antietam. He thought you had sad eyes.

He wanted to give you comfort but could not do so at the time. I hope you don’t think I’m out of my head, but I really want you to read my papa’s last letter. Maybe you’ll get some measure of comfort from it, as I do.”

Amid the noise and confusion of the crowd, Abraham Lincoln sat quietly and read the letter. Then Levi showed him the small, brass button that was taken from his Papa’s uniform. The two of them sat with their heads together and spoke quietly for a time. Many a person wondered why a great man like President Lincoln was taking up valuable time speaking with a young boy. Many wondered what they were saying to each other. As President Lincoln finally rose to leave, he handed Levi back the letter and the brass button.

He took Levi’s hand in his and said, “Your papa was right. Sometimes one person, even a young person, can make all the difference in the world. Thank you, son. I shall remember you fondly.”

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Levi placed the letter and the button deep into his pocket. He turned and walked slowly toward the gates of the cemetery, where Mama was waiting for him. He threw his arms around her and said, “you’ll never guess who I’ve been talking with, Mama. Never in a million years!”

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“The Civil War has been the background of many stories over the years and the bravery shown by young Levi in Last Letter To Gettysburg ranks with the best of them. His courage will motivate readers to know they can face any tragedy and any situation, even using his courage to inspire the president of the United States of America”.

—Brian Croasmun, author of The Clemente Ball “An engaging story about a young boy’s discovery of how his family’s experience is woven into the fabric of American history. Jan’s story is broad in scope and narrow in its focus on a family’s response to upheaval and uncertainty of a country in conflict. It explores the costs of sacrifice on individuals and the benefits of sharing hope with others. I really enjoyed the story.”

—Linda and Dick Fonner, educators and Civil War Reenactors Jan Thornton Jones graduated from West Virginia University with a degree in Elementary Education, a Master’s in Communication Studies, and another Master’s in Early Intervention Special Education. She is a retired Early Childhood teacher. Jan has written two award winning children’s books, The Angel In The Park and Why Me? She has always been fascinated by the heroism, patriotism and bravery of the soldiers on both sides of the Civil War. These acts of valor, along with the ageless wisdom of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, served as the inspiration for Last Letter To Gettysburg.