1861 May 7 Meherrin

Co Cocke
Dear Sir
I have nothing of special
interest to report We have had a very unpropitious
season for several weeks past. Corn is now coming
up finely wheat promises well Oats look badly

I expect to commence planting Tobacco in a
few days. I have been hoping for some time that
you would conclude to plant all the land in
corn Our Community like all others in the state
is highly excited at the prospect of a bloody war
& business at all times is partially neglected. even the
Farmers seem to be so much interested in the war
preparations going on around them that the scarcely
know what cause to take for the general good.

Last Saturday I accompanied our Gallant
Volunteer Company numbering some 60 well drilled &
equipped to Belfield on their way to their destination
at Old Fort Powhatan on James River They are a
Noble band & will make the fur fly off the Northern
rogues should they get a chance at them being armed with
Enfield Rifles Bowie Knives fine shooters &c I understand they carried
along with them some 1500 ball cartridges & provisions for several
days. The Com. is composed of the best young men of our
Count & is regarded with great pride by our citizens Dr
Morrison has two sons in the Com. There are efforts making
to get up two or three more companies in our county

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One of which will be a Cavalry Com & if it fails in that shape
I understand it is proposed to change it into an artillery com

We are doing the best we can on the farms & business
an all the places is well ahead for the times I have ordered all
the Tobacco not yet prized to be put up in dry order and stowed
away under the sheds or put into barns for safekeeping

We are generally well on the plantation
Respectfully
J. B. Traylor.