The last to leave Letterman

This photo of Camp Letterman shows some of the last patients and staff to leave Gettysburg in November 1863.

The Last to Leave Gettysburg, November 1863

The hospital at Camp Letterman continued to treat wounded from the battle of Gettysburg until mid-November.

Hospital steward Ira S. King received orders to accompany the wounded leaving Gettysburg on the morning train to Harrisburg, Cleveland and Cincinnati on November 16.

The Sanitary Commission reported that on November17 the last carload of patients departed for Pittsburgh in the railway ambulance, officially ending their operations at Gettysburg.

Two remaining nurses, Sophronia Bucklin and Judith Plummer, were allowed to stay on for the cemetery dedication on November 19. The remaining surgeons were relieved on November 20, except for Dr. Henry Janes and one assistant surgeon who helped him complete the paper work to close down the camp.