GORDONSVILLE Va. SEP 21 1862 cds with matching DUE 10 (CSA Catalog type G, CV $200) on fresh cover to Mrs. L. A. Blake, Baileys Mills, Florida, endorsed “From J. C. Blake, Soldier in 5th Fla. Vol.” Postmark cancels a peeled-off pair of typographed stamps, top back flap removed. Likely a REUSED ENVELOPE to his wife, Laura. Ex Wm. A. Fox and John Vagnetti, signed Brian M. Green. Unusual adversity use.  $250.

Joel C. Blake (1831-1863) enlisted February 2, 1862, at Tallahassee as a 1st Lieutenant and was commissioned into Company K, Florida 5th Infantry, Perry’s/Finegan’s Brigade, Anderson’s/Mahone’s Division, 3rd Corps, Army of Northern Virginia, killed in action at Gettysburg July 2, 1863. Parents: MIles & Susan Parrish Blake. Brother of Isham & Walter of the same company. He left behind a wife, Laura, and a substantial plantation with a population of 118 slaves prior to the war. According to family lore, Joel Blake’s mother was sitting down for supper when she was seized by panic. A vision or “mother’s intuition” brought a startling realization racing through her mind. With dread seeping into her voice, she exclaimed, “Oh my God, my Joel is dead!” She was right. Lt. Joel C. Blake had fallen in the advance on July 2nd. To add even more anguish, the young man’s remains were never identified, as they were reported to be “completely mutilated” and could never be found. https://emergingcivilwar.com/2018/04/09/mothers-intuition-or-family-lore/