1861 Nov[ember] 11 Camp near Centreville

My dear John [B. Cocke]

I wrote you some time since in
reply to your very satisfactory letter and upon several
business subjects--among other things that your[?]
check to the Farmers bank to order of Goode Sheriff
of Powhatan for $1400 and odd dollars to pay our
taxes for the year I hope you have recd. the
check and paid the taxes--

I have seen one or two letters or parts of letters
from yourself to Mr. Cooke--and am glad you
acquiesce in the arrangement I have made or rather
was obliged to make in regard to the A Adjt: place
For it became absolutely necessary that I should have
a Commissioned staff--after my promotion--and for
reasons which you know of, the time had passed
when I either ought or could resign--not that any
reparation could ever be or had been made- but be-
cause in the [?] [?] crisis I would not
under any circumstances resign--I say however I
am pleased to [?] that you have not thought my dear John
I intended any slight towards yourself in offering the

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place which you had so well filled to Mr. Cooke
But other reasons in connection with my extreme
anxiety about all at home induced me to desire
you to remain there at least for some time to come
You had rendered good service--and a part of the
time without a commission--but had asked for a
commission and it had been refused--and all this
added to my own treatment makes me think es
pecially justifiable in view of the unprotected
condition of your mother sisters and the younger
children that you should be with them at least
until we can see a little further into the future--
or they become reconciled to the best arrangements I can
conceive of or others which your mother & yourself may
desire-
I have appointed Lt Stockton of the 19th Regt. temporarily
aide de camp and do not expect to fill the place
permanently--because I deem it due to you to keep
it open--so that it may be possible hereafter to have
you again with me--

We are beginning to realize the hardship of camp life
The storms & cold [weather?] intimate what prospects the

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state of things as winter comes on [?] or intends
But these are the incidents of campaigning and must
be borne as they occur.

Let me know what Richd Kennon proposes to do--
Sue must have what means are necessary for her
expenses--Nothing but the war and the great dis[?]
ment consequent upon it have prevented my making
provision for her before this time--But all income
absolutely seems likely to be consumed in taxes and
necessary expenses but she shall ever be provi-
ded for as my other daughters--as I would truly
forgive & forget the past--Tell your mother to check
in the Farmers bank for what Sue may want--
or write to me and I will do it.

I am glad to hear good accounts of the dear
boys Sainty & Willie from our friend Mr. Houston
Great responsibility devolves on you my dear John
as you have to act the double part of father as
well as brother to all the dear ones at home
in my absence--Help the dear girls & darling chil-
dren affectionately for me
Yr affte father--
Philip St Geo Cocke


MSS 66
See the letter of Giles Buckner Cooke to John B. Cocke of November 9