The following letter was printed in The History of the 118th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, by the Survivors' Association, p. 675. The incident refers to the 21st Mississippi's advance upon Bigelow's Union batery near the Trostle house at Gettysburg on 2 July 1863. "Philadelphia, August 31, 1886; To the Adjutant-General of Mississippi: Dear Sir: At the battle of Gettysburg, July 2d, 5:30 p.m., Barksdale's brigade charged through the Trostle House yard, on the right of the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 5th Corps. The flag of the leading regiment was borne so bravely by the color-bearer through the gate of the yard, and I saw him so plainly in advance of his regiment, that I am anxious to get the name of his regiment for insertion in the 'History of the 118th Corn Exchange Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers,' now being written. If you can aid me in this you will greatly oblige yours, J. L. Smith, late 118th P. V. Regiment"