a copy of the original letter

 

                                                                                    In the Field five miles below

                                                                                                            Petersburg Va

 

                                                                                                June 25^th 1864

 

Mr Benj Fletcher        Sir

                                                                                                            In Addressing you upon the present occasion it is with painful regrets that I speak of the death of your son Joseph who was shot on the first instent while bravly fighting in the defence of his Countrys flag He died almost instantly after receiving the fatal bullet at the hour of about 7 Oclock PM

 

                        He has long been one of the color guards guards of the 10^th Vt. Regt and has been a faithful and devoted soldier ever respected by all with whom he has had intercourse and his morals were unexceptionable never using profane language or indulging in the many vices that beset the Soldier.

 

                        He entered the fight with a confidence that his regiment / would win new laurels and as a companion in arms I never feared that I should be left by him while I bore my Countrys flag He was killed in the charge made by us upon the works of the enemy at Cold Harbor, Va.

 

                        Chaplain E M Haynes of the 10^th Vt Vol Infty. received all of the effects of Coporal Joseph Fletcher and it is expected he will de vise some means of having them sent to his friends.

 

                        I have in my possession a daguereotype of his Father and another indivuiduel which I intend to send to his parent by the next mail. they were placed in my valise when starting upon this campaign and as it the valise has been upon the train I have been unable to get to it until to day.

 

                        Respectfully

                                    Corporal Wm Mahoney

                        color bearer of 10^th Vt Vol Infty/

 

[in another hand]

He sleeps in an unknown Grave in Va           L. U. F.

SOURCES