Item description: Letter, 2 July 1862, from Edward M. Hardy, Captain of Company G, 6th Virginia Infantry Regiment, informing Rev. Aristides Spyker Smith (1809-1892) of the death of his son Johnathan “Johnnie” Reynolds Smith (1836-1862). Johnnie was killed on 1 July 1862 at the Battle of Malvern Hill.

Aristides Smith was a Presbyterian and Episcopal minister and principal of women’s schools in Virginia and Mississippi. His other son, Leonidas Wilkinson Smith, a Captain of Ordnance, died 22 August 1864 in Houston, Tex., of a disease contracted in camp.

Item citation: From folder 1 of the Harrison and Smith Family Papers #5144, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Item transcription:

Army of the Peninsula
(in advance)
July 2d. 1862.

Rev.d A. S. Smith
Petersburg Va.

Dr. Sir,

It becomes my painful duty to inform you of the death of your son John. R. Smith, a member of my company. He died like a patriot & a gentleman, while charging a Yankee Battery. It is needless to say to you that the loss of our beloved comrade is deeply regretted by the whole company. I sent you the last remains by Mr. Lewellen Southgate.

I am with much sympathy and respect,

Yr. obt. svt.

EM Hardy
Captain Co. “G” 6th Regt. V.V.