This is why the South remembers it’s fallen.

May 8-21, 1864 was the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. This is a transcription of a letter by James Robert Montgomery.  He was in the unit known as the University Greys which was part of the 11th Mississippi. They were students at Ole Miss.  That’s his blood stains on the letter. 

Spotsylvania County, Va.

May 10th 1864

Dear Father

This is my last letter to you.  I went in to battle this evening as Courier for General Heth. I have been struck by a piece of shell and my right shoulder is horribly mangled & I know death is inevitable.  I am very weak but I write to you because I know you would be delighted to read a word from your dying son.  I know death is near, that I will die far from home and friends of my early youth but I have friends here too who are kind to me. My friend Fairfax will write you at my request and give you the particulars of my death. My grave will be marked so that you may visit it if you desire to do so, but is optionary with you whether you let my remains rest here or in Miss. I would like to rest in the grave yard with my dear mother and brothers but it’s a matter of minor importance. Let us all try to reunite in heaven. I pray my God to forgive my sins & feel that his promises are true that he will forgive and save me.  Give my love to all my friends my strength fails me. My horse & my equipments will be left for you. Again a long farewell to you. May we meet in heaven.

Your Dying son,

J. R. Montgomery