The following letters were written by Joseph C. Sexton of the "Wythe Grays." Sexton, along with his brother John., enlisted in the company on April 19, 1861.At the time of his enlistment, Joseph was 27 year-old mechanic and on September 11, 1861 he was appointed Assistant Commissary of Subsistence, with the rank of Captain, for the 4th Virginia Infantry. On April 1, 1862, he was promoted to Major and Commissary of Subsistence to Brigadier General Charles S. Winder, in command of the Stonewall Brigade, and subsequently served in this capacity under Brigadier Generals Elisha Paxton, James A. Walker, and William Terry. On October 31, 1864, Joseph was appointed to Commissary of Subsistence to Major General John B. Gordon, then commanding a division in the 2nd Army Corps, and subsequently the corps itself, and on March 23, 1865 was appointed to the same position on the staff of Brigadier General Clement A. Evans. Joseph surrendered at Appomattox Court House. He died at Wytheville, Va. on December 17, 1907 and is buried in Old Town Cemetery. Original spelling, capitalization, and lack of punctuation have been kept, just as Sexton wrote the letter.

Joseph's brother John served as a clerk under his brother and died August 8, 1864 from a gunshot wound to the thigh. John is buried in Frederick, Md.

The original letters are owned by Diana Liller of Fredericksburg, Va. and she has graciously allowed us to post these transcripts.

This first letter was written by Joseph Sexton on the morning following the Battle of Cedar Mountain, Va. In this letter to his father, Joseph briefly describes the battle and relates the death of his commanding officer, Brigadier Charles S. Winder, then in command of the Stonewall Brigade.

Dear Father,

Another great Battle has been fought another great victory crowns our Laurels.

Stephen Rider and Edwin Crockett, was Killed no other casualties in company A, please inform Wm. Wider and Mrs. Gleaves.

Gen. Charles S. Winder commander 1st Brigade was Killed. A shell passed through the body of the general and Exploded afterwards, almost cutting him into the Infantry was next called into the action at this time as the artillery was playing on each other and he was in command of Genl. Jackon old Division 1st 2d 3d Brigades. Col. Ronald was in command of the Brigade he being the Sr. Col., the loss of the 1st Brigade was very light, and it is reported that they Killed more yankees then any other Brigade, as to the loss on eather side I have not been able to learn. In so short a time, i wright in hast to let you and my friends no the worst, the battle field shows that we Killed 10 to 1, the fighting was done between 5 and 10 Oclock P.M. 9th. Maj. Andrews of artillery who had just become a Member of Gen. W's staff was Mortally wounded, he was a kind, gentlemanly, sociable, officer, peace to the ashes of the brave boys. we have taken 500 prisoners, and amoungst them several officers, we sleep on the battle field but last night and are falling back this morning as the yankees are trying to flank us on the left. Ole' Jack will be wide awake for them. Maj. Gen. Jas. E.B. Stuart is here the Prisoners report Gen. Burnsides as landing 50 thousand at Fredericksburg, we may have a pretty hard time of it yet. the weather is extreamly hot almost to Kil I have been very unwell for three days. Jno. is quite well also Mr. Campbell I feel something better to day. I have just Received your letter of the 7th and one from sister she is quite well.

I must close as I am looking for an Order to move my train back in a few moments. I will wright and give you all the points when I get them. Our love to all.

P.S. Send this to bony immeaditely, as I have not time to wright now.

Rec'd this letter today. Your mother Left he Black cape at her Father she wishes Mrs. Crockett to bring it home with her. Mr. J.A. Cox has employed 7 or 8 white men for you they are to report to you Sunday Evening. Mr. terrell is getting on very well he has 30 hoppers running he will commence Boiling Monday. Rosenhammer died yesterday with dipthera. A [illegible] casualty on the rail road yesterday below Liberty cars run of track killed 2 + crippled A good many no train yesterday this leaves us all well I will send Joe his mare next week william Rider started yesterday morning for his son + several citizens went with him.

Dear Father,

I am well, heavy fighting going on ay this time it commenced on our end of the line Sunday. So far we have not only held our own by have driven the Enemy, as to our entire loss I am not prepared to say but I think light, the casualties in company A, as follows up to last account, Wm. Gose flesh wound in arm, Wm. Wood in Leg badly one bone broken above instep. I telegraphed to his father to-day. P. Catron + Geo. King are missing supposed to be prisoners. Lt Col Haston Terry Brigade was Killed. Capt Barton Inspector and Capt Cox Adj Gen of Gen Terry staff were wounded, Lt Crush was also wounded. SOme others whoes names I have not heard was wounded and some few others Killed this Brigade charged the Enemy three times, Maj Gen Pegram of Pegram's Division was Killed, this division is a part of our Corps, he is from Richmond, and was just Married a few days ago, I saw his wife a few day's now a down Cast broken hearted young widow, O' how uncertain is life. I had expected that the next letter you received from me would inform you when I would get home but such is war, I cant set a time now. I would not ask even if I could get a leave of absence at this time. Evidently Grant has been reinforced by Gen Thomas Tennessee command or at least a part of them as some of the prisoners are from his command it has been sleeting and raining all day and very cold and it is almost impositable to move artillery this is a level quick sand country. I dont think our corps has lost over 100 men K + W. Gen Heath's Division has lost heavier then any other it is attached to Gen Hills Corps (3d ) this may be but the beginning of a regular campaign. Our peace commissioners have returned and bring no cheering news as you will see before this reaches you from the news papers, we must now make a long pull and strong pull and All pull together and trust to the God of battles for our success this crewel war must have an end, if but united our independence will be sure, every body must be up and working. Gen Lee is now commander in chief to stand in his august and venerable presence makes a man feel his insignificance, he was reviewing out Corps by Divisions last week, full of life and talk he is generly reserved, long life to the old war waren veteran , may he live to see our young confederacy acknowledged, free and Independent, by all nations I am sorry I could not be at home while Bony was there but hope he will have an oppurtunity of getting back again when I do come tell him I received, at last, the Articles he mailed to me from R. and was much pleased with them Tell George I will answere his letter soon and should liked very much to have been at his grand Dinner where did it come off at, tell Bobie and Fannie they must write and give me all the news I have not heard aney thing from them since I spoke of some body steeling all my Candy +c.

Tell Bony Jas S Dined with me last Sunday and will write to him soon he is very well, with my love to all I close

P.S.
as the fight progresses I will try and keep you posted but sincerley hope it is over.