W/Yellow envelope postmarked “S.C.” addressed to “Mr. Washington / Stone Hall Mills / Appomattox County / Virginia.” Dated “1862”. One page in ink on unlined paper, 7.75” x 11. Chipped along top (salutation missing) and left margin. Else VG.

James W. Moore mustered into Co. “B”, 46^th Virginia Infantry, 6/19/1861. He re-enlisted on 5/19/1862, and is reported to have received a week furlough at Appomattox Court, 3/23/1864, two and a half months before being and killed in action at Howland Line, VA, Bermuda Hundred, 6/2/1864. His regiment was attached Wise’s Brigade, serving with the Army of Northern Virginia, transferred to the Department of North Carolina, and then back to the Army of Northern Virginia in the summer of 1864 through the close of the war.

In this letter to his father, Moore writes of fear of never seeing him and again and of camp and spiritual life. Text as follows:

“…to write to you a few words. I am well at this time. I hope that when thee words come to hand will find you mending from your affliction. I hope the rest of the family is well. I ___at camp a Saturday night with my regiment.

You must write to me as soon as you get this. I want to hear from you. We have marching orders to leave Tuesday morning. We think we go to North Carolina as soon as we can get there.

Further you must think that you will never see again [be] for I expect to see you again, but if we should fail to see one another again on earth I hope that we will meet in heaven and will part no more…I feel my self better satisfied since I come from ___

We had a fine meeting yesterday evening in the camp field. The minister name was J. C. Tole. The words which was his subject was who is on the lords side.

He said that he had been preaching to the soldiers for about six months and he never see the slightest misbehavior yet while at service and it made begin to think that he was on the lord’s side.

I will close my words. Give my love to mother and brothers sisters and all inquiring friends. You must write as soon as you [can] I want to here from you and all the rest of the family / James W. Moore”

A fine collectible, a poignant letter home from a soldier of the 46^th Virginia Infantry destined to be killed in action. In protective sleeve, accompanied by documentation.  [jp]

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