1862 February 7 [James River between Nelson County and Richmond?]

Packet Boat Feb 7 1862

Dear Genl [John Hartwell Cocke]

I kept myself unusually busy all day
yesterday and succeeded in getting through with
my business as far as it was possible, one of
the persons whom I wished to see, Mr Coalter
Cabell, being out of the place. He is in the
Confederate service at Yorktown. There were
a great number of officers and soldiers on the
streets. The latest news by telegraph on yes-
terday evening was that the federals had
taken possession of Fort Henry and had burnt
the bridge across the Tennessee between our
forces at Columbus & Bowling Green. This in
-formation, I suppose, must be correct though
too late of course to find any confirmation of
it in the papers of today. There have been
several skirmishes, one at Knoxville Tennessee
where we routed the enemy.

There are seven candidates for Congress to
fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of

[page 2]
John Tyler. It is thought by most persons with
whom I have conversed that McFarland,
who is now discharging the duties of that
post, will probably be elected on Tuesday
next when the election comes off.

The difficulty between the Department and
"Stone Wall" Jackson has been adjusted
which first occasioned Jackson's resigna-
tion. The Department would not accept his
resignation & have given him entire satis-
faction in regard to the matter. I have no
doubt that the Department of war erred
in interfering with his duties, since in his
position, he was most capable of judging
of the necessities of the case, in the army
in that quarter.

Please remember me to Mr Skipwith and
tell him that I enquired for his letters &
that I was informed his letters (four in num-
ber, the young man said) had just been given
to a servant who came for them. I suppose
he weill receive them today.

I hope Mrs. Skipwith's health will improve.

[page ]
I regret that I cannot stop in passing.
I hope you will come to Nelson to see us
all as soon as you can.

Very affectionately yours,

Willm D. Cabell

It is confidently assured
that the blockade must be
raised in a very short time
Tobacco has advanced Two
dollars [?] [?] W.D.C.


William D. Cabell (1834-1904) was executor for the estate of Jefferson's friend and University of Virginia co-founder Joseph C. Cabell. During the war he served as a commissary for the Confederacy and organized the Nelson County Home Guard.
MSS 640