1862 March 5 Belmead

My dear Grandfather [Genl. Philip St. George Cocke]
Your last kind
letter was received just as I was on
the Eve of leaving home for Richmond
I have received the willow plantings
and have have[sic] the bank of the creek
thoroughly cleaned up for them--I have
not had them planted yet but will
do so as soon as some of the press
of work is off hand. Half our
main force has been drafted to work
upon the fortifications & breast-
works, either at Yorktown or some-
whee else--This will leave us force
only sufficient to pitch a crop-
In reference to the subscription for the
ministers I have already got the
amount and will divide it between
them immediately--The printing
of the sermon I postponed, as I
found that paper was very

[page 2]
scarce and it would require two
prices in ordinary times to have it
printed now. I intend to have it
done however as soon as I can.

Johnny goes up to Bremo this morning
for a day or so, The boys went over to
school on yesterday and found
that Mr. Harrison had been suddenly
called to Richmond by the extreme
illness of one of his daughters,
who very imprudently exposed herself
to the weather at the inauguration
on the 22d of Feby--and learning that
Mr. Harrison would probably not be back
until Sunday or Monday next they
came back home, and as John as
expressed a desire to ride up home,
I had furnished him with a horse
Hoping to hear from you soon, and
with the affectionate love of our
household
I remain yr. affect. grandson
John B. Cocke


MSS 640