The following “letter” appears to have been intended as a jest and was probably enclosed with another letter written home by John Tucker of the Confederate Service. As there were dozens of John Tucker’s serving in the Confederate army, it’s difficult to say with certainty which one was the author though most of them did not join the service until after this letter was written and many of them only served in the western theatre. I think there is a good possibility that it might have been written by the John Tucker who served in Brander’s company, Virginia Light Artillery (“Letcher Artillery”) that was organized in Richmond during the winter of 1861-62.

Whoever wrote it was probably in winter quarters at Yorktown under the command of General John B. Magruder.

Transcription

Happy Valley

To General Magruder,

You will please detail John Tucker to come home to get the gloves which I won from him. By complying with the above request, you will greatly oblige one who feels a very great interest in the cause of the Southern Confederacy.

14th February 1862