Clinch Mountain
July the 31st 1862
Dear Father & Mother
I seat myself this
evening to write you a note to let you
know that I am well my health has
generally been pretty good since I left
I hope this will reach you all in good
health I received a letter from Sister Jane
a week or so ago I was very glad to
get it as it brought the first news I
got from Jacb & William after the big
fight at Richmond and I was very
anxious to hear from them. I have no
news from this section the yankees
are still at the Gaps They advanced
on last sunday and shelled the
woods about 10 or 12 miles from here
but they became tired of that and
went back to their quarters We heard
their guns and looked a little for
a fight but it did not come on
It is said they are a good deal excited
about Gen Morgan Being in
Kentucky I have heard of no
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late fighting below here for severel
days I learn the Buncombe boys have
all gone into camp near the warm
springs I suppose John is with them
though I have not heard I thought
he would have written to me there is
some talk of forming a Brigade of
North Carolineans by uniting our Reg.
with Col Palmers Reg. and McDowells
and others I hope they will accomplish
it This has been our Election day and
a rainy day at that Vances majority
of the nine companies of our Reg. that
are here (one being at Morristown) is
about 150 young is 32 ahead in the
two companies from Buncombe
Burgin & Shipp got nearly all in these
two companies I was sorry to hear of
Ben W Merrell getting killed in the fight
as well as some of the Cane Creek boys
Jane spoke of sending me some paper
I can get paper here now Please write
soon I want to hear how you are
all doing As ever your son
S. A. Patton