1861 Sept[ember] 6 Head Quarters 5 Brig[ade] Camp near Farifax C H

My dear Father [General John Hartwell Cocke]

I have received yours of the 31st Aug
accompanied by [one?] (hole obliterates text) from my dear little Charley
who has been spending some time with you--
I am truly gratified to have these valued evidences
of affection & remembrance--and to learn through
them that all are well at the three Bremos

I have a recent letter from Courtney written from
Richmond where she had been spending a few days
by which I learned that all are well at Belmead--
I find it impossible to leave my post even for a day
and so could not go to meet Courtney in Richmond--
Since I wrote you last I have been ordered from time to
time to advance my Brigade--first after the battle
of Manassas--from the battlefield my old position to
near Centreville--then to Centreville & finally to this
place--where I have been for a week--So that hereafter
you may direct your letters to Fairfax C. H.--

We have outposts now at Munson's & Mason's hills
only for or five miles from the Potomac and from which positions
the enemies entrenchments are plainly to be seen--the capitol
at Washington & the spire of the Theol: Seminary are also [viewable?]
from the same position--& our pickets are in sight of

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the enemies I visited those hills a few days since. The
enemy is hard at work upon his entrenchments which he
doubtless making very extensive & strong covering the
whole of his position from Alexandria to Arlington heights
inclusive-- His encampments & [fort? or posts?] (hole in paper) are also to be seen

I could tell you what I think of all their positions
&c &c but such an observation would be contrary to
Army regulations--and could effect to good results[?]

The North has already passed under a military despo-
tism the most absolute & rigorous It remains to be seen
whether the people of their States will submit to it--or will
rise up and shake it off--In any event we have
nothing to hope for but in a united & firm defense of
our soil against the vandal invaders--and the sooner
we can make this war offensive rather than defensive
the sooner shall we be likely to bring it to an end--
We want nothing but our right to govern ourselves
in our own way--and this we should have or perish
in the effort to obtain it--

I am anxious to learn when brother Charles will
be ordered to for active service with this company
He is a better correspondent than I am but I suppose
had not had time to write me since he took the field--

I regret to tell you that the Rev Mr Slaughter has
resigned his commission as Chaplain and left us very

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much to my regret. I think he was exercising a very
good influence--but he thought his duty to his
family required that he should not leave them so much
alone as his duties here required him to do.

I find that the sacrifices that I am making are
[?] to the neglect of a young & numerous family
and an extensive business whilst my services do not
seem to be appreciated by the powers that be--Younger
men are currently promoted over my head--and I have
no influence "at Court" at Richmond-- What think
you of my resigning when affairs at this line shall
be in such a state that I can do so without injury
to the service or without leaving any ground for the
charge[?] [?] report of avoidance of any immediately
impending duty? My connection with the service
has been one continued scene of [?] and
neglect by the powers at Richmond--Genl Beauregard
however has given me a command which I still
hold far above my literal rank--But of this I may
be deprived any day by some of the new Brigadiers
appointments--Give me your views?

With love to all--with my thanks to Lucy for
the nice box she sent me & to Sally for her letters--and
my dear little Charly for his letter--with love to [?]
I remain Yr affec son
Philip St Geo Cocke

The three Bremos refer to General John Hartwell Cocke's adjacent plantations on the James River in Fluvanna Couunty, Va., Bremo, Lower Bremo and Bremo Recess. All three are still owned by family descendants. Belmead was Philip St. George Cocke's own residence in Powhatan County, Virginia. Designed by renowned architect Alexander Jackson Davis, it was later purchased by the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament who conducted two schools for African American children there, St. Emma Agricultural and Industrial Institute for boys and St. Francis de Sales High School for girls.The schools claim many famous alumni including members of the Tuskegee Airmen. It is now on the National Trust for Historic Preservation's most endangered historic places list.

Courtney is his wife Courtney Bowdoin Cocke who was at one time General John H. Cocke's ward

Brother Charles is Charles Cary Cocke of the Fluvanna Light Artillery.

MSS 640