53
given. The brigade was right in the line of battle. In this
first struggle, Thomson had his horse shot from under
him.
After 48 hours of battle and wounded,
Lieutenant Colonel Mac, (now Brigadier General as he
was brevetted to Colonel and then Brigadier General
for gallantry on the field), prostrated by severe duty,
was forced to leave the field. Briefly resting, he left
the general hospital and returned to his command
quite sick. Within days of his return he suffered a
severe attack of malaria and was relieved of his
command indefinitely.
L
ETTER WRITTEN TO
M
AC AFTER
G
ETTYSBURG
Lilly Prison Richmond VA
January 24, 1864
Lieut Col J. M. Thomson
Dear Mack
I read a letter the other day from Lieut.
Williams in which he informed me of your
expected arrival at [ ] Regiment. And now,
after waiting a remarkable time, I follow the
drift of my feelings and am writing you a few