HEADQUARTERS 64TH REGT, N. Y. V.,

BATTLE FIELD NEAR GETTYSBURG, PA.,

SUNDAY, July 5th. 1883.

SAMUEL BABCOCK, ESQ,—

Dear Sir: Yesterday was a sad day to us; we buried our dead. Your brave son Lieut. Willis G. Babcock has fought his last battle.—He sleeps by the side of a great rock covered by a running vine, just in front of our breast works. He was killed in battle July 2d. He was in the thickest of the fight, and to the very front in our charge. The last position of the enemy that we took was a rocky ledge of wood. During the time we held the ledge I saw Willis very active in directing them when and where to shoot. I saw him standing by the side of Sergeant Peterson of his company, tearing cartridges for the Sergeant. We had to abandon our advanced position and were followed up by the enemy under cover of a knoll and lost many. Willis was shot while we were falling back through a wheat field. He was shot through the right breast by a rifle ball. He fell about 6 P. M. That night the enemy held the field and the next day their sharpshooters kept us back.— On the morning of the 4th, I sent Captain Feapet out with a detail to look for the wounded and dead. They found the body of Willis; on his breast was pinned an envelope on which was written in a strange hand, Lieut. W. G. Babcock, 64th Regiment, N. Y. V. His sword, memorandum-book and purse were gone, but his clothing had not been disturbed. We buried him on the farm of George Weikert, back of his stone house. We put up a head board, cutting the name Lieut. W. G. Babcock, 64th N. Y. V. We made the best coffin we could of boards and rolled him in a blanket. On the top of his box coffin I placed a bent bayonet. We to-day built a fence around the grave. The loss of the 64th was great. I mourn with you the loss of your son. I loved him,—may God bless you.

Most respectfully yours,

L. W. Bradley,

Major Commanding 64th N. Y. V.