1861 May 21 "Camp Henry" Culpeper C.H.

My dear Aunt Lucy,

Your kind and affec-
tionate note my dear Aunt Lucy came to
hand Some days since by the boy Sterling
and I have made several attempts to answer
it, but have invariably been called off on
duty before I had time to finish it, and this
must be my excuse, for seeming neglect,
in not replying to your highly prized note.
Papa went down to Richmond several days
ago, and since his absence, we have had a
comparatively easy time and I avail myself
of it to attend to all my correspondents--

We are beginning to get our military arrange-
ments somewhat organized at this point now,
and getting the regiments formed, and every
thing beginning to wear a military appearance.
The tented fields and battallions drilling
would prove to the Yankees that we were going

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into this contest in real earnest, and to talk about
subjugating Southern peple animated with
such feelings as they are, is an absurdity. They may
whip us but they will never subjugate us, to the
yoke of a Black Republican President--

You will probably seen or heard of Papa's
decadence in military rank, and on this
account he is in Richmond now. To go into the
details of the matter would tell you; but never
was a greater outrage perpetrated upon a
military man than upon him--Mamma
I hear is in Richmond, attending the Episcopal
Convention. She will pay us a visit I hope
if we are here during the Summer. We are
comfortably fixed Pa having rented a house,
and sent to Alexandria & furnished it in a
plain style for a soldier, & his staff officers
& himself occupy it & have their own meals
& everything in housekeeping style. I am for
the present acting "housekeeper"

I heard today much to my gratification
that Jack Braxton had gotten an

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appointment from the Surgeon General &
I wish & hope very much we may be able
to get him on our line of operations--

What is Uncle Charles doing, in the way of
organizing his regiment? I shall be most
glad (I hope I need not assure you) to hear
from you whenever you find leisure to
write me. Tell Grandpa his letter to Papa
is at hand & I suppose will be answered
as soon as he returns from Richmond.

I shall write to hm in a few days.
Phil ought to be in the service; though I
have heard nothing of him since Miss
Jeane[?] Bolling's marriage--This County is
represented by only one company at this place.

With much love to all at Bremo &
the other places, and with a large share
my dear Aunt for yourself.

I remain as ever yr. affect
nephew
John B. Cocke

John Bowdoin Cocke (1836-1889) was the son of Gen. Philip St. George Cocke (1809-1861, the nephew of Dr. Cary Charles Cocke (1814-1888) and the grandson of Gen. John Hartwell Cocke (1780-1866. Sterling was a Cocke family slave. See previous letters in this blog.
MSS 640