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4 September 1862
Powell Papers – 65 P875, Box III, Folder 2
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Near Leesburg Sept 4th 1862
Dear Sir
It becomes my painful duty to
inform you that on the 24th of August while
engaged with the enemy near Warrenton
Springs your son was killed by a shell while
bravely serving his gun. He was killed instant
ly the fragment of shell striking him on the left
side & passing through the heart. I was near
him when he fell but before I could reach him
his spirit had gone to the place prepared for it.
Although he had been a member of my Battery
but a short time, by his uniform good conduct
& constant attention to his duties he has secured
the good opinion & esteem of his officers &
had won for himself many friends in the
Company. I had him buried near the
spot where he fell & it may be some comfort
to you to know that all was done for him
that kind friends could do under the cir-
cumstances – not knowing wheather we
[2]
were going to hold the field – I thought
it best to bury him as soon as possi
ble – I selected a place which could
be easily identified should you or
his friends wish to remove his remains
before I could point the spot out in person
to you – Allow me to say that
in your son our bleeding country
lost a brave & noble defender.
I believe he died a true christian.
Below I send you a diagram of
the ground upon which he fell, by
which you can secure his remains
when you think proper to do so.
Map
Bottom of page 2
[3]
We were stationed near the Waverly house
(which is yellow) opposite the Warrrenton Spgs.
Just north of the house in a ravine north of a
brick house will be found the grave of your
son in the plot it is marked Q.
Mr Miller’s house is northwest from it –
He could direct you to the spot –
I have had to write in great hurry
as I am on the road should you
wish for more explicit information
I will endeavor give it at another
time. With great respect I remain
Yours very truly
Carter M Braxton
Capt ____ Arty
Chas L Powell., Esq
Richmond
(note: The map is very detailed showing the river, road, Warrenton Springs, the Miller house, Waverly house, Brick house, the ravine and two sets of hills and the position of the battery facing Warrenton Springs. The gravesite is marked with a sign Q just north of the Brick house.)