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Camp near Gordonsville Virginia
July 23rd, 1862

Mr. L. D. Fletcher

Dear friend

as it has been some time since I have written to you I expect you will look for a long and an interesting letter, But if that be your expectations, I am afraid you will be some what disapointed, for this reason, I can not five all the particulars of what has occured even within the few last weeks. And it is not worth my while to give a sketch from the fact that you have already had a sketch from the press. But one thing certain I am getting verry tired of tis war & I think any man that has been in to as many fights as I have been would be as tired of it as I am. I think that the Richmond fight with in its self would gratify the ambition of the most blood thirsty warier.

Sir our Reg was in line of battle for eight days & nights. Many times we were almost famishing for watter to drink; we had to eat drink & sleep in line of Battle And many times during these 8 days we were exposed to the most terrific volleys of Grape shot Canister & Bombs. Which seemed to threaten death & destruction to every member of the old 37th. At many times the air seemed to be full of those unearthly crys of the houling of peices of Bombs and tier contents after they exploded, at the same time grape shot & canister flying thick & fast, some strikeing the ground in fromy of our lines Bouncing over us some mearly passing over us & strikeing the ground a few feet in our rear Covering us with dirt & blinding us with smoke of the explodeing Bombs - fortunately for our Reg But few of us were killed or wounded Though this has not always been the case of our Reg Many that started with us have long since been swept from time to eternity I have stood in the midtst of many Balls Both musket and manie Riffles Balls whizeing most furiously into our lines, Cutting our men down by scores Bombs & solid Balls cutting down men trees & every thing that they happen to strike. I saw whare a solid ball had passed through a large watter oak tree & killed two men so you may easily imagine the force of a cannon Ball & Grape shot & canister is far more destractive than solid balls or bomb shots

But I hope times may not remain always as they are now, I hope that united states have already seen that to subjugate us is an impossibility, though they may continue the war un till each section is totally Ruined, Though I hope forreign powers will interfare in some way as to bring a bout a Reconsiliation & a permanent peace,

For who can tell the horrors of war, I say that words can in no instant describe the scenes of a severe battle, while rageing, or describe the horrors as they realy are after looking over a battle field Men laying thickly over the field some cold in death, some so mangled & torn & disfigured that their own friends hardly know them Some with a falf dozen balls in them yet a live some with an arm off some with a leg off & many wounded in many ways

Oh what awful shrieks & groans, enough to chill the hearts blood of any man.

I hope to see the time when I will be a free man again My health is tolerably good at this time, Bob is well & seems to be as well satisfied as if he was at home I want you to write soon & let me know the news in general direct your letters to Gordonsville in care of Col T.V. Williams stone Wall Jacksons Division, 37th Reg Va Vol

Give Aunt Celia and all the family my best Respects I will close by ascribing myself your friend
Most Respectfully

Lieut Jas. H. Barrett
Co I 37th Regt Va Vols
Gen Stone Wall Jacksons Division

To L.D. Fletcher

& M.M. Fletcher