Sunday, May 13, 2012

1862 May 14

May 14th 1862

My darling wife

I write by Capt Horace Jones who
goes up to Richmond to buy some extra provisions
for the officers and men of the 19th.  I heard
that the good people of Ch:ville were very much
exercised about the soldiers having nothing to eat
after the battle of Wmsburg--it was so in a great
measure but we have now a good supply
of beef, mess pork & hard crackers and a very
limited supply of other things at exorbitant prices.
I saw Wm Cocke last evening and a harder looking
case for a sick man I never saw, without shoes
knees out and hat in very dilapidated condition
but he was very fortunate in getting a letter
from his mother who is at the University dated
the 12th and I have'nt heard from my darling
wife for 10 days.  I am very anxious to hear from
you indeed for various reasons and have no
doubt that there are several letters for me in
Richmond But the mail for the army had not
been distributed yesterday.  little regard the
authorities have for a poor soldier!
I have no idea what effect the evacuation of Nor-
-folk and the blowing up of the Merrimac will
have upon our movements--it may be that we
will have to fall back.  the authorities are
much more frightened than we are down hers.
Has John Lewis gone home?  I saw him a few

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evening ago on his way to a farm house to
get some rest and quiet--he said he might
go home--I have'nt seen him since and judge
that he has gone home.  I am still very
anxious to get out of this company as soon as
possible--I am afraid to stay in it on account
of the inexperience of the officers and the poor
conditions of the company--we have hardly
men enough to man three pieces.

I am extremely anxious to see you again & would
give anything in the world to do so--what
about the detail to drill Jimmy's company?
Has Mr Bledsoe flashed in the pan?
Do let me hear from you in some way or
other.  Give my love to Pa, Ma and Mittie
May and all the rest--I do wish I could
get one of Ma's long interesting letters.
No news down here atall
With the greatest desire to see my darling
wife and a heart brimful of love for her
I am as ever her devoted & loving
Husband

unsigned letter of Howe Peyton Cochran, 1st Virginia Artillery

MSS 9380

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