The following brief letter was written by Daniel Egbert, Surgeon, USN, to Rear Admiral Hiram Paulding respecting the capture of his son, Lt. Tattnall Paulding (1840-1907) during the Gettysburg Campaign and spent time in Libby Prison. [See—1863: Tattnall Paulding to Hiram Paulding].

Transcription

46 Saratoga Street, Corner St. Pauls
Baltimore [Maryland]
July 11, 1863

Dear Admiral,

My son, Dr. Harry C. Egbert, 12th U.S. Infantry, Commissary of 1st Army Corps & aide to Gen. Newton, was taken prisoner on the night of Thursday’s battle at Gettysburg. He made his escape in the mountains on the 5th July & wrote me 7th Inst.

He requests me to write to you “and say your son [Lt. Tattnall Paulding] in the 6th U.S. Cavalry is a prisoner and quite well.” I presume you need have no further anxiety in his case, until he is paroled or exchanged. I presume he was among the 3 or 4,000 who refused to be paroled on the field of battle.

I am, dear Sir, yours very truly, — Dan. Egbert, Surgeon U. S. N.

To Rear Admiral Paulding, Commanding US Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York