1862 January 2 Fort Grafton

My darling wifey

1862 has commenced its course and I cant help
being impressed anew with the fact that tempus does fugit, and this
is owing to two very different causes, if we take into consideration
the past year--namely, the pleasant time I have enjoyed &
the dull time I have endured-this may appear singular
but it is philosophically true. But when I consider the two
or three weeks between now and the time when I hope to
see you, I am impressed with the conviction that time is a
slow-coach--you can account for this, even though you may
not consider yourself a female philosopher

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Christmas week passed by without any occurrence worth
noting--I dejeunered on Christmas day with Major
Brown and Lady--the affair was quite a success &
the guests did great justice to the bountiful & sumptuous
repast served up on the occasion--I entered into a
conspiracy with Mrs Brown to try and get a furlough
home Genl Magruder through the influence of Major
Brown and Col Randolph--but Miss Mary has been
unable to get her husband interested in the matter
and so the affair falls to the ground--Genl M. has
sworn that no one shall leave while the federal
fleet remains at Annapolis--but some I know have

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gone on one pretext or another--Mr Alex rives sought
a furlough for his son--the Genl refused but detailed
Charles to Yorktown and I expect will send him
to Charlottesville shortly to find out the price of
apple brandy--The war department is the only chance
for a furlough now

I found out the other day that we have a man in the company
who was once your father's overseer--Park Woods--a
tall, heavy, loud and fast talking man--
Our commissary has been very fine for the last
few weeks, owing to several boxes which have
arrived for our mess. I have had toast,
coffee, sausage, ham &c for breakfast ever since
my box arrived--and what is more I had to cook
them, since we have lost our cook--I dont mean to say
that I cooked for any but myself.

Where is Mr Woodson? I judge from your last letter
that he is with you all--Remember me to him kindly.
I was disappointed in not receiving a letter from you
by the last mail and consequently, with more
certainty look for one to day--I shall, therefore,
keep this letter open until I see; Maybe I shall
have to add something particular. God bless you.

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I received your two letters this evening--
the letter of Capt. Taylor will do no good
for the reasons above stated.
I send this by the Capt. who starts to
night for Charlottesville
I do want to see you very much--

Your devoted husband

[Howe Peyton Cochran, Sgt., 1st Virginia Artillery]

MSS 9380