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SOLDIER’S LETTER: “The South has gained a great victory at Richmond…” Smyth Co. Va June 30th 1862 headed 2-page 8” x 10” letter on blue lined paper to “Dier brother” by O. N. Wolfe to Isaac W. Wolfe and (on same sheets) James D. Fletcher to Merry Wolfe in Stock Creek, Virginia. Letter (uneducated spelling and grammar) sent from Saltville, Va., saying in part, “I take the time to tell you about the grate victory the South gas gained at Richmond, they have taken 43 Genrals and forty two or three peares of cannons and a good many Colonels and Privates…if this is true I hope peace will be made before much longer as I am tirde of all of this plase…have been through the rivers and now are just on the side of the salt mill, direct letters to Saltville PO.” Mentions that he is eating well and is mending (wounded)… “If we never meate on earth may be meat in heaven…Poun Gap Battalion, Captain Haynes Company…James D. Fletcher” (VA 21st Infantry). He refers to the battles of late around Richmond-Mechanicsville, First Cold Harbor, Gaines Mill-the Seven Days Battles. Excellent letter from North Carolina soliders stationed or recuperating at Saltville. $550.
James Dykes Fletcher enlisted as a private at Mocassin Gap (Scott County) Va in Co. C, Va 56th Infantry. He also served in Va 21st Batt. Infantry and Va 64th Infantry, Department of Western Virginia. He was promoted to 3rd Lieut in 1862 and paroled 24 May 1865 at Louisa Court House. Omar Wolf[e] is also shown in Va 64th Infantry at the same time.
