1862 May 27 near Yorktown, Va.

Sunday April 27th  1862

My darling wife
The last letter I received
from you was dated from Richmond
on the day before you contemplated
return to Charlottesville--I suppose
you have returned before this--and
yet, if my means could afford it, I
would like for you to have staid in
Richmond longer--You would have
been nearer me and I might possibly
have gotten an opportunity of going
to Richmond for a day--dont let this
be a disappointment to you for it was
the merest possibility--I was on the point
of writing to your Uncle Tom, who is
on Genl Johnston's staff, to see if he
could'nt have me sent to Richmond
when I received your letter stating that
you were about to leave.
I hope Mr Ballard Preston may be able

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to do something for me but I am getting
awfully afraid that nobody will appre-
ciate me but yourself--I would be
satisfied with you appreciation if I
could only enjoy it in your company
The conscription bill is very severe on
us, keeping us in the same company
whether or no, though we have the
privilege of electing our own officers.
I dont think any of the old officers in this company
will be elected and I cant imagine
who will be except on young man
 probably be elected captain.
I cant serve under him and therefore
want Jimmy and you will tell him so
to have me transferred to his company
it may not be proper to have it done
at the present time, but I must have
it done sooner or later.
I went into the box Mittie sent me just
now to divide the sugar tea & paper

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with John Lewis when I came across
the candles and Mittie's sweet letter
for the first time--Kiss Mittie for me
and thank her for the letter which I
prize more than anything else in the box.
I hear various reports with regard
to the Yankees overrunning Albemarle
do write about it and let me know
what you propose doing--as I told you
in a former letter I want you to be
under the same flag with myself, so
that I may see you again, if I ever
can get a chance before the end of the
war--I have fifty dollars which I
will send you by the first safe chance
and twenty five in the Farmers' Bank
which you can draw, if necessary, with
my consent here given.
The two armies have now been within
a mile of each other for more than
three weeks--whether we will fight or
not I cannot say--
Love to Ma, Pa, Maggie Mittie &
all at home
I do want to see you so
much
that it makes me very sad to think
how little is the chance
With a heartful of love for my
darling precious wife I close.

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


MSS 9380