1862 April 13

April 13th 1862


My darling wife
I have heard no news that has made me feel like
we were actually engaged in war so much as that albemarle
was to be given up to the Yankees. It has depressed me more
than any news I have yet heard--I hope it is not so.
I can very well see that it may be better to give up a part
and even the whole of the country that we may retain the
rest; but when the yankees drive my family from their home
and take possession of my property, it becomes a personal
affair. Let me know if you have heard anything with
regard to the evacuation of albemarle and if it be so I
will then tell you what to do, or let you do as you please
which will be as well such is my confidence in you.
The Yankees, as I have probably told you, had placed their
sharp shooters behind the fence of a peach orchard about
500 yds from our works and annoyed us very much. day
before yesterday we sent out a party who drove them from
the fence and burned it since then the enemy have been
very quiet--last night we sent another party out, which
cut down the orchard and burned some houses--for the
first 3 or 4 days the Yankees sent up a balloon to make
observation, but a day or two ago it apparently got away
and it is reported that we captured it with two men
in it--The Yankees have been so quiet for the lst three or
four days that I am inclined to think there can be no
considerable number in this neighborhood--and yet a
telegram to Genl Magruder last night reports that the

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Merrimac captured three transports of Burnside's fleet
which was coming in this direction--I can hardly
tell what will happen God grant that I may be
spared to see you again--I have thought of you
a great deal lately and if there is anything in the
world that would give me the greatest earthly happiness
it would be to be with my darling.
I send you two copies of an old paper published in
Wmsburg in 1829--I believe you are making a
collection of such things--and when I came across
them I thought of you--in truth, everything makes
me think of you--I believe I am very much in love--
Give my love to every body at home Ma, Pa, Mittie,
Maggie, Rachel Eugenia Aunt Sarah your mother, Va
and every one else. I am glad to hear that Ma
is improving and hope she will live long enough to
see peace restored to our distracted country.
and now, my precious darling, I cant say one tenth
in paper of what I wish to say to you--I want
to tell you how dear you are to me and how much
I love you. I want to talk to you as I am in the
habit of doing when I am with you--wer[e]nt we happy
then and still I dont think I appreciated the happiness
as much as I would now--we dont appreciate our
blessings until we lose them. I am still wonderfully
supported by the hope of seeing you again and then
wont we be as happy as the day is long.
It is a great pleasure to think that you love me
and are so interested in what concerns me--Be
of good courage and rest assured of the undivided
affection of your devoted husband.
P.S. your telegram was to Capt Peyton and he didnt
answer because the Capt Southall had telegraphed

unsigned letter of Howe Peyton Cochran of the 1st Virginia Artillery

MSS 9380