Saturday, August 6, 2011

1861 August 6 Hopewell [Alabama]

Dear Genl [John Hartwell Cocke]

We are all well at present & doing
well. We have had several good rains one since Lucy
wrote that prevents us from getting along with our fodder
as we wish. This morning it was so wet & cloudy we
had to go to grubbing, Cain grubbed a little while in
the Dufphey lot, the weather & he has gone to work at his
fodder again. Our crop of corn is very good I think from the
size of the ears the Dufphey lot especially. Our cotton is
looking well & it has begun to shed a few of its squares.
It is opening very fast. Champion is making baskets at the
New Hope they are all very well the crop is very fine they
say I have not seen it lately I shall go down there this
evening. I have not heard from Uncle R since he left, I
look for him this evening. Mr. Barden leaves for Va this evening.
he says he wants to see the army & his son Joe & his relations Mrs Barden
also. Ruffin Gray was in that Big Battle I heard that Genl
Philip Cocke was in it (Is that so?) William P. Webb has
been to Va.. he arrived in Greensboro last night. He
delivered a short address told us all about the Greensboro
company. I do not know whether I am right or not but I
feel like I want to go to fight for our country.
Cattle & Hogs, sheep & colts are looking very well. It is
nearly time for the old mare to wean her colt. She is looking
tolerable well. As times are bad & money is scarce I thought
we would save by writing together. Lucy has written you all
about the garden & house things. Yours respectfully
Smith Powell
If you could make it convenient we would
like to hear from you soon.

MSS 640

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