Indepencia

June 29, 1863
It has been my dream over since I come to this country to become a lawyer, a writer, or an architect. I came to this country from Belgium in 1851 with my family. I was only eleven then I was so fascinated with this country and all it’s opportunities. Everyday, I would go to the library and read although my English wasn’t good I would go through the mill. My father wasn’t toohappy when I started going to school. He would always say I was wasting my time studying that I should be a real man and start working hard, like me two older brothers. My whole family thought that I was peculiar, it was hard sometimes having people judge me but I tried not to the let it get to me, but I don’t want to be a granger forever.
1861 was when everything changed. It was the start of thecivil war. By then I was eighteen. My family thought since we were Belgium immigrants we wouldn’t be eligible for the draft in Wisconsin. Well the government found ways to get us in the war anyway. If you volunteer you’ll get free land. So that’s what my brothers did. They wanted a farm of their own for their wives and future kids. My father was very proud of them and brave for joining the war. Hewas disappointed though that he’ll have to leave the farm to me but it didn’t matter. After the first battle the whole country realize that it was going to be a long war. There was going to be a draft and a big one. The government of Wisconsin made a declaration of intent which meant that even if you’re an immigrant in this country, you still being here means that soon you’ll be citizen. So that’show I got into the Army.
I’m in the Iron Brigade in the 7th regiment. My name Is Henry Salvatore. We’ve been marching all day to Gettysburg. Although we are we are well known for our Hardee hats and fight organization. We are worried about Lee’s army. No one has defeated him yet. Right now we are camping and getting rest. I have a few buddies but my best buds are Joey and Bill. We like to playcards around a camp fire and talk. We always put up our tent together which holds up to about 5-6 men. We all carry a knapsack and our uniterms are made out of dork wool. Joey, Bill and I have a lot in common. We all rather not be in the Army, We’re Belgium and we love literature. Well it is time for rest. I hope that after this war my father would respect me and my interests.

June 30, 1863Today was a long day. I wake up at 4:45 am today to get ready for the first drill. The first drill started at 5 ½ to fam. We ate breakfast after that it was good breakfast Joey managed to get us eggs and we bought some biscuits from freed slaves. It was during that time during breakfast that Joey told us while he was getting eggs that he overheard the commander Colonel Robinson saying he was planningto start moving the regiment in an hour of two. Are you kidding me?? We’re already tired from yesterday and when are get to Gettysburg we’re probably going to just sit there for hours. Bill has a sprained ankle and I don’t think he handle much more. From all the boring drilling and marching but he told us not to worry because he was going to the surgeon at 8:00.
It was announced that we wouldstart moving after the 2nd drill. Usually on an ordinary boring day we would have 4 drills. After the 2nd drill from 9 ½ to 11 ½ am we have dinner . After the dinner a 3rd drill 1-3 pm and another drill 4 ½ to 5 ½ . So Joey and me and some other pals were doing guard duty and snuck off when it was time for the 2nd drill. We were having fun. We gambled and played cards until a random guy fromthe 2nd regiment snitched on us, the jig was up and me all get punished .

We had to carry a wooden sign that said slacker and run around the camp. Bill had a smirk on his face, he was just sitting there resting his foot which he later told us he did that through the second drill. Well at least I’m glad my father isn’t here to see me now I haven’t heard from him in a long time. I wondered If...