1861 May 15 Richmond

Dear General

I delivered your dispatches
to the Governor and to General Lee immedi-
-ately on my arrival; yesterday I reported
at General Lee's Head Quaraters-when he sent
for me into his room, and after reading to me
his last communication to you, expressed
great regret that you should for a moment
be under the impression, that he had anything
whatever to do, with the change of your
former "Status"; on the contrary, I am persuaded
that he is sincerely anxious as far as it lies
in his power, to serve you in every way--
if I understand the case, the change in
your position, is the legitimate result of
the action of the Convention, in limiting
the no of Generals & Brigadiers--and it does
appear to me, that once satisfied that no injus-
tice was intended, you ought to congratulate
yourself on the change, as releiving you from
an immense burthen of responsibility and
from a position where it would be utterly

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impossible for a Caesar or a
Bonaparte to meet the public
expectations with the inadequate
means then at your command.

My application for a commission hangs
fire, and I am very doubtful of success-
and should I fail my cheif regret
my dear Genl will be the separation
from yourself--
very truly yours

F. G. Skinner

Genl Philip St Geo Cocke
Culpepper CH


Philip St. George Cocke had been appointed a brigadier in the Virginia state service and when the Virginia troops were transferred to the Confederacy was named a colonel in the Provisional Army. He commanded the 5th brigade of General Beauregard's forces at 1st Bull Run and the following October was promoted to brigadier.

Frederick Gustavus Skinner, 1814-1894, was a Major in the 1st Virginia from May 1861 and was promoted to Lt. Col. November 18, 1861. Severely wounded at 2nd Bull Run he never returned to active duty.

MSS 640