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.