Patton Family Letters, 1860-1864

Buncombe County, North Carolina farmer James L. Patton and his wife Sarah had four sons who served in the Confederate Army. Samuel A. Patton (b. ca. 1834) served as a private in Company H, 29th North Carolina Infantry. Jacob E. Patton (b. ca. 1837) and William M. Patton (b. ca. 1839) served in Co. F, 14th North Carolina Infantry. Jacob eventually was promoted to sergeant. John B. Patton (b. ca. 1844) served as a private in Co. K, 60th North Carolina Infantry. The Federal Census of 1860 lists Jacob’s occupation as miller. The other three brothers made their living by farming. The collection includes letters by all four brothers, as well as two cousins, Robert W. Bird (b. ca. 1839) and George P. Bird (b. ca. 1844), both of whom served in Company K, 11th North Carolina Infantry (the Bethel Regiment). Samuel A. Patton was wounded at the Battle of Murfreesboro on December 31, 1862 and died of his wounds on January 15, 1863. William M. Patton was wounded at the Battle of Chancellorsville sometime between May 1 and 3, 1863 and died of his wounds on May 21. George P. Bird was wounded at the Battle of the Wilderness on May 5, 1864 and died of his wounds on May 16.

Archive: 
Southern Historical Collection, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Letters

Displaying 26 - 36 of 36
ID Letter Datesort descending Author Recipient From To
9301 Patton26 December 11, 1862 Jacob E. Patton , William M. Patton James L. Patton , Sarah Patton Buncombe County, NC
9302 Patton27 December 15, 1862 John B. Patton James L. Patton , Sarah Patton Murfreesboro, TN Buncombe County, NC
9303 Patton28 February 5, 1863 John B. Patton James L. Patton , Sarah Patton Tullahoma, TN Buncombe County, NC
9304 Patton29 February 22, 1863 William M. Patton James L. Patton , Sarah Patton Fredericksburg, VA Buncombe County, NC
9305 Patton30 April 19, 1863 John B. Patton James L. Patton , Sarah Patton Tullahoma, TN Buncombe County, NC
9307 Patton31 April 30, 1863 John B. Patton James L. Patton , Sarah Patton Tullahoma, TN Buncombe County, NC
9308 Patton32 May 7, 1863 Jacob E. Patton James L. Patton , Sarah Patton VA Buncombe County, NC
9309 Patton33 May 31, 1863 John B. Patton James L. Patton , Sarah Patton Jackson, MS Buncombe County, NC
9310 Patton34 October 30, 1863 Robert W. Bird James L. Patton Brandy Station, VA Buncombe County, NC
9311 Patton35 January 21, 1864 Jacob E. Patton James L. Patton Buncombe County, NC
9312 Patton36 July 8, 1864 Jacob E. Patton James L. Patton , Sarah Patton Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA Buncombe County, NC

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