1862 April 26 Hopewell, Ala.

Hopewell, Ala, April 26th /62

Genl. J. H. Cocke
Dear Sir,
At the request of Mr. Powell
I write you a few lines to let you know how we are getting
on.  I have looked into everything on both this place and New-
Hope and from what I can see everything is going on very
well.  They are all well  on both places.  we had some hail
last Friday (17th) and a frost on the same night which
injured the corn on both places a little, and Armistead
thinks it injured cotton some. with the exception of
that the crops are looking remarkably well.  The stock
generally are improving.  I think we will make a plenty
of meat next year. the prospects are quite flattering.
The garden is in very good order, we had a mess of English
peas last Saturday.  Fancy had a colt on the 11th and
it died on the 17th it was a very fine horse colt.  I recd
a letter from Smith Powell Yesterday and he is at Corinth
he seems to be in fine Spirits.  The carpenters are working
at home now, repairing the old houses.  I am trying to learn
Frank ( a boy staying on the lower place) how to read and spell
as Uncle Powell requested me.  This is about all I can
say at present so I will close.

Yours Respectfully
S.N. Hardy

[page 2]
Dear
Master
It is not yet time for me to write to you,
but as Mr handy is writeing I thought best
to say a few words to you
I wrote to you the 2nd or 3rd of Arp--and hope
that my letter has been received
I have nothing new to inform you of--every
thing seem to be going on as usual.
I am geting along very well with the peoples
summer clothes.  I have a great deal of weaveing
to do, but I am inhopes to get it all done in
due time.  I am putting up another hand Loom and
I think I shall be able to make every thing at home.
I am sorry to inform you of the death of my
Sister Mary up at mr Powells--She died the 6th
of april. She is a great loss to mr and mrs Powell
also to my poor mother and Father, but I trust
that they are able to say with me that the
Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away blessed
be the name of the Lord.
The last time that I heard from mrs Averys
family the were well.  mr Bandens also
I saw mrs withers not long since her family
was well.  I will now bring my letter to a close
hopeing soon to hear from you I remain
Servant
Lucy Skipwith
J H Cocke

Lucy Skipwith,  slave on an Alabama plantation of General John Hartwell Cocke, trusted with overseeing affairs at the house and among her fellow slaves.
MSS 640