Item Description: Letter, 13 July 1863, from Richmond to Mary B. Pettigrew informing her of the condition of her brother, James Johnston Pettigrew. An officer in the Confederacy, James Johnston Pettigrew served in several important battles, but few documents detailing this survive. M. E. R, the sender, seems to be an unknown family friend. Mary would later marry a doctor in Norfolk, Va.

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Item Citation: Folder 264, Pettigrew Family Papers 592, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Item Transcription:

Richmond, July 13th 

My dear Mary: I have just this moment learned thro the kindness of Drs. Bionne and Peabrooke that a wounded man from your Brother’s brigade has arrived – The man wasn’t able to come to me and wasn’t in a condition for me to see him. But I learned the following statement – a horse was shot under Gen. P. on Wed – and the man saw him on Thursday in perfect health but on Friday afternoon he was wounded on his left hand or arm and he is still into his command. The man carried this information from his servant in attendance on your brother. I give you this simple statement first as I heard it – it may be some comfort to you and the fact of his being into his command could lead us to infer that his wound is not dangerous. I trust not for your sake and that of the country. I will keep you informed of all that I may be able to gather. The soldier who gave this information to me is not in my division. I will see him as soon as is practicable-

God bless you. I will write in a day or two.

                                                         Ever yrs. M. E. R. 

I have telegraphed to Mr. Pringle Epis. minister at Columbia that he may invite and so for may hear sooner – for Jim anxiety must be intense – I do not know Mr. Pringle personally _ do you? but I felt I could call on one of our church perple to do an act of kindness. I hope it was not a liberty.