 Lincolns letter to Mrs. Bixby, while a real document, was  inaccurate when written. Only two of her sons died: Sgt. Charles  Bixby at the Battle of Fredericksburg in 1862 and Pvt. Charles Bixby  at Petersburg, Virginia, the following year. Two more sons, Pvts.  George and Edward Bixby both deserted, and the remaining son, Cpl.  Henry Bixby, was captured and later swapped in a prisoner exchange.  In fact, Mrs. Bixby 