27 July 1863: “I was in Richmond a few days ago when Gen Pettigrew’s body was carried through there.”

Item Description:  Letter, dated 27 July 1863, written by James Augustus Graham, stationed in Virginia, to his mother, residing in Hillsborough, NC. James Graham served in the 27th North Carolina Infantry Regiment, Confederate States of America and lived until 1908.

[Item transcription available below images.]

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Item Citation: Folder 2, James Augustus Graham Papers, #00283, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.


Item Transcription:

                                                                                   Camp near Taylorsville Va

                                                                                             July 27th 1863

My dear Mother

                                                                             Although I feel very little in the humor of letter writing this morning yet I must try to write to you; a few lines at least; to let you know what has become of me. As you will see from the date of my letter we have not changed our camp since I last wrote. It seems almost like we were to be regularly stationed here, for we have been here for two weeks which is longer than we have stayed in any camp since last April and in fact is a very long time for “Cooke’s Fort Cavalry”, as we are called to stay in one place. 

I was in Richmond a few days ago when Gen Pettigrew’s body was carried through there. 

His remains arrived on the evening train and were escorted to the capitol by the military and citizens. They laid in state in the capitol until next morning when they were carried to the train and sent to Raleigh. 

I saw Dr. Hughes, who married Cousin Laura Bryan, while I was there. He had gone on to Martinsburg to see his brother who was Adjt. Gen to Gen Pettigrew and who died at Martinsburg of wounds received at Gettysburg.

Dr. Hughes was on his return home when I saw him.

Mr. Garnett, who lived in Hillston several years ago while he was surveying the N.C. R. R. lives near our camp. I went over to see him and Mrs. Garnett a day or two since. Mrs. Garnett regarded me to remember her very kindly to you when I next wrote home.

I went to church near here yesterday and heard a very good sermon from a Rev Winston a baptist preacher a refugee from Philadelphia, but a native Virginian, I believe. 

There is no news about here. The papers state that our army is all this side of the blue-ridge and in the vicinity of Culpepper CH.

I have not heard a word from home since I saw you and Father in Richmond about two weeks ago. I will write to Father in a few days. Write soon.

               I remain

                            Your affectionate son

                                 James A. Garham

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