Letter, Virginia, August 9, 1862, condolences to Julia Edmonds Haskins Meade (about 1809-1891), mother of Maj. Richard Kidder Meade, Jr. (1835-1862), who died July 31, 1862, of typhoid fever contracted during his participation in the Seven Days Battles near Richmond, Virginia, ink on laid paper, 9-3/4 x 7-3/4 in.: "Head Quarters/Army N. Va/Aug 9th 1862/My dear Madam/It is fitting that I/should sorrow with you in the untimely/death of your gallant Son. In him our/Country has lost a most accomplished/brave and skilful officer, one who/bade fair to serve her in the highest ranks/of his profession. In the campaign of the/Peninsular he devoted himself to his/Work with distinguished zeal and in-/telligence. Under my own eye he has/labored with untiring energy and/performed invaluable service in the/field. During the eventful week of the/battles on the Chickahomany [sic] he distinguished/himself by his bravery, energy and activity,/making bold and skilful reconnaissances/which contributed much to the success of/our army. It was his incessant labors and/great exposure during that week, alas/which proved fatal to this noble young/patriot. May the God of the widow and/the fatherless give consolation to his/mother and orphan sisters in their/great sorrow./I am most respectfully/Yours/R E Lee/Genl", with envelope addressed to "Mrs R. K. Meade/Petersburg/Va" with five-cent stamp postmarked "Richmond Va. Aug 10 1862", 3-1/4 x 6 in., good condition, letter with fold marks, slight ink fading and browning at edges, corners slightly worn; envelope with grime, flap and stamp torn Descended in the family of Maj. Richard Kidder Meade, Jr., Engineer Corps of the Confederate States, the great-great uncle of the consigner In June of 1862, Richard Kidder Meade, Jr. was promoted to the rank of Major in the Engineers Corps and ordered to report to General Robert E. Lee. During the Seven Days Battles (June 25-July 1, 1862), Meade provided vital information to Lee about Union troops.