Richmond, Virginia
July 10 1862

Mrs. Cynthia A. Barrett
Dear and Affectionate Mother
I am again permitted through the divine mercies of God to drop you a few lines to inform you that Bob and I are both yet on the stage of action, blessed with reasonable health and strength for which I feel truly thankful to Almighty God. I hope these few lines may find you and all the family enjoying the same blessing.
We have gained a great victory over the grand Federal Army in this vicinity. We whipped them and captured many prisoners. We also captured many guns, ammunition etc, commisarys and sutler stores in great abundance and more than that we slew thousands on the field. But, Mother I am sorry to relate that in that awful strike of bloodshed and slaughter many heroic Sons of the South fell, mangled and slaughtered. The fight commenced on Thursday June 26 and ended Friday July 4th.
I used to believe greatly in protracted meetings, but these protracted fights don't suit me by any means.
Mother, this was undoubtedly the greatest fight fought on American Soil.
Friday June 27 was the big day. I shall never forget that day, should I live to be one hundred years old. That was my birthday, and I pray God that I may never experience another such birthday. It seemed that the very earth quaked under the thundering tone of artillery.
I believe there were two hundred cannons firing at the same time. Rifles and muskets seemed to make noise like Pop Guns when compared with artillery. We lay on the battlefield that night. Oh! What scenes of horror, hundreds lying cold in death. Many so badly wounded that they were perfectly insensible, and hundreds lay wounded in many ways. Some a half a dozen balls had pierced. They were still alive and sensible of their miseries. Oh, what groans and screams, and begging for water. I waited on all, as much as was in my power. At length I became so tired and exhausted that I went to my company where I found Bob lying down fast asleep. He was lying by a dead Yankee. There was just enough room for me to lie down between him and the dead body, so I lay down and slept quite well till morning.
I was aroused at day break by the thundering tones of artillery and the sharp rattle of musketry. Our brigade was immediately ordered in line of battle.
Mother, we were kept in line of battle for more than one week, both night and day. Some would sleep and others would watch.
At times we nearly perished for something to eat and nearly famished for something to drink, as this is a very poorly watered country anyway. We have had to drink water that you would not wash your hands in.
Mother, you may form some imagination of my desire for this war to come to an end, for I have seen enough to satisfy me that the thing will be hard to settle by fighting, and unless some compromise can be made it will be of a long duration.
Mother, Bob and I have lost most of our socks and if you could make us some and send them to us you shall be paid for your trouble for we can't get such things in the army at all. As to other clothing, we can get it cheaper than you can afford to make it.
I hope I may get to go home shortly. I hope so on some terms. I want you to write me soon and let me know what the people are doing in Russell and let me know how my property is doing.
Mother, I am trying to discharge my duties as a faithful soldier in my country's service. I am also trying to discharge my duties in my week manner as a faithful soldier of the cross. I want to live right, that I may die right. I beg an interest in your prayers, that I may hold out faithful to the end; so that if I am not permitted to return to you on this earth we may meet in heaven, where the war whoop is never heard, where the cannon and muskets are not known.
Mother, I have tried to take your advice you gave me when I left home, when I gave the parting hand. You told me to put my trust in Jesus, who alone is able to save.
Mother, that has sounded in my ears often since the 27 of May 1861, the day of my departure, when the clouds of destruction had gathered thick and broken forth with fiery missiles of death among us which seem to threaten to sweep us from the face of creation. It seems as if I can hear those soft words from an affectionate Mother; my son put your trust in God.
I thank God I was blessed with christian parents.
Give my respects to Pud, Cat and Ned. Tell them to be good children and write to me and Bob often and raise plenty of Potatoes and Beans against me and Bob comes home.
I must close by asking you all write soon. Give my respects to all inquiring friends.
From you affectionate Son until death.

Lieut. J.H. Barrett
Richmond, Viriginia
July 10 1862