1862 June 4 Richmond, Va.

Richmond, June 4th, 1862

Genl. John H. Cocke
           Bremo Bluff
                         Dr Sir,

                             Your kind favor of the 31st
ulto. was duly received, & we regret not being
able to send the tea--We have none for sale
ourselves, not can it be procured in the city.
The little that is in the hands of the people
here is absolutely necessary for the wounded &
sick soldiers that fill our  hospitals---
     The nails we expect to send by the "Mary Kirk"
now in the Basin----
           It is exceedingly difficult now to transact
any business--There are very few goods of any
description in the market; it is difficult to get transpor-
tation of any kind, & the hands & hearts of the
people so turned towards the suffering in the
community, that even were there an abundance
in the stores there would be little time to devote
to trade--
            These are sad & heart rending scenes through
which we are passing & the conflict (as far as
we can see) must still go on--May God in Mercy
bring the struggle to a speedy close--Yrs very Truly
                                  John N Gordon & Son
We delivered your message to Mr Smith who
promises to send the balances up---

MSS 640