The Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond has a file with letters from Joseph Gregory Covington. He is described as being a member of Jackson's Flying Artillery, but he also had a connection with Company B of the 55th Virginia regiment, to which the following letter pertains. It seems that at the time Covington was detached on special detail. [This action at Falling Waters on the retreat from Gettysburg is also detailed in Richard O'Sullivan's book on the 55th as part of the Virginia Regimental Histories Series, H. E. Howard, Inc., 1989, pp. 56-57] [My comments are in brackets] "Bunkers Hill, Va July 15th, 1863 My dearest wife, ... brigade was near all captured yesterday on the r___ [probably river, meaning the Potomac] they were taken by surprise Yankee cavalry took all but a few of the 55th regt except a few ____ ahead of the brig and those that ran away they took Maj. Rice and Col. Christian, also ... they say that last night there was only 38 guns stacked in the regt. others may come up ... only three from Capt [Saunders?] company got out, thank the Lord, I am spared thus far ... I saw Richard Heilliard [Pvt Richard D. Hilliard, Company B] this morning he is very well, John Sewards also, both well ... yours, Joe ... Bob Kit Garland [Company H?] deserted the 55th at Gettysburg Pa and went over to the Yankees. I have endured a great deal and will endure a great deal more before I will desert."