1862 April 22

My darling wife  

I received a box
from home yesterday containing
tea sugar and writing paper.
the latter was very much needed
indeed--of the former we had
a very good supply--I dont
know who sent the box--as
Mittie directed it but am
much obliged to whoever did.
I have seen John Lewis several
times lately.  he is not very far
from where we are--we are
stationed permanently but he has
to go wherever there is occasion
he told me, the last time I saw
him to write home as he had
no paper--I shall divide mine
with him. I have received no
letter from you for ten days--I
know you have written, but the
mails are so irregular that I
have'nt received them--this
accounts for your not receiving
mine--Capt Preston however sent
me word yesterday that he would
forward my letters--I will send
this to him today.  there is no
local news--we are still facing
the enemy--There is some firing
almost every day, but not many
casualties.

As the whole army of the
Potomac is down here, I am
afraid Albemarle will be
in the possession of the enemy
I dont see sufficient
reason for the old people
and other noncombatants
removing, as they will be
subject to no greater
inconvenience that not
hearing from their
friends & relatives in
the Southern army,
but I will want to see
you, if I can have a
chance and would
advise you, if the
event I speak of is
likely to occur, to make
some arrangement to
place yourself on the
south side of James
river.
As the conscription bill
will include me, I
think I shall join
Jimmy's company
Congress & the Legislature
have treated us
shamefully--I hope also
by joining Jimmy's
company to see you
before long

No one seems to understand the
conscription bill and I doubt whether
the Governor himself does but I am
afraid it will keep all the twelve
months volunteers in for the war
for at the end of two years
they can play the same trick--
the promises of 60 days furlough
is all fudge, we have had that
ever since we have been in the
service and not one has received
it--I would not mind all this
so much if I could see you
occasionally.

I am very sorry to hear
of Campbell's misfortune
and hope it is not so
bad as reported.  Gilmer
Breckenridge told me of
it--a letter from
Mittie to John Lewis
bestowed the same
information.  I am
very anxious to hear
from you--why didn't
you write by Major
Magruder?

And now my precious wife
you dont know how much
I want to see you.  I believe
my not seeing you is the
greatest affliction I have
yet undergone.  let me know
in your next what letters
you have received from me
I have written every chance

How is Ma?  Give my
best love to her and all
at home
With a heart full of
love for my darling
wife I am her
devoted Husband

[letter no. 2 of the same date]

My darling wife
I have just received your two letters dated
from Richmond and must say that while I am truly
glad at another indication of your unselfish devotion
to your husband, I cannot consent to you coming
to Yorktown--There is no place for you to stay
and it is impossible for me to leave the redoubt
in which I am located--You know that I would
give anything in the world to see you; you know
that I love you with all my heart and hence
must know that I have come to this decision
from the sternest necessity--You asked me in your

[page 2]
letter if a heart ful of love was to be prized
you know that I prize your heart ful of love
and it will be a great consolation and pleasure
to me in whatever circumstances I may be
placed to recollect that there was one true
woman devoted to me--
Be of good courage and trust in
a kind and heretofore merciful Provi-
dence that we may be permitted to see
each other again soon--
Your devoted & loving Husband.

[two unsigned letters of Howe Peyton Cochran, 1st Virginia Artillery]

MSS 9380
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