RICHMOND / Va. // JUL / 17 /1861 cds with the very scarce PAID 2 straightline marking (CSA Catalog Type B) that in his Confederate States of America Markings and Postal History of Richmond, Virginia, Peter Powell designates as Type I and states ONLY 26 COVERS ARE RECORDED. This is a wonderful TINY CONFEDERATE DROP RATE COVER which is a little over an inch high and less than three inches long. It is addressed to "Mrs. Maria R. R. Gooch, Richmond." Original 2-page letter accompanies --one side only.  It is datelined July 17th, 1861. It says, in part, "So it seems as if we have had the big fight at last & so much looked & defeated; I will give it all in God's hands and hope he will enable the wise heads of our nation to manage the battles as he willeth & enable his people to say they will be done with perfect resignation & hope our fate will be better than we now expect....but since the Yankees are gaining on us, I think the better plan would be for you to come here and stay a week with me & then I would return with you & spend a week with you."  Signed "Yr friend, J. Watkins." Ex Sam Zimmerman. $900.