1862 July 11 Hopewell, Ala.

                                 Hopewell Ala 11th July 1862
Dear Genl. I came down here Tuesday last % have
seen the crops on both places.  They were
suffering for rain when I was here early in June
& ave been suffering ever since.  A great many
of the Peas we planted in the Eavens[?] field
have not come up, for want of rain.  The Peas
are up & growing in Duffy field & Melton field
We did not have quite Potato slips enough
to sett out all the Lawn Lot, & have planted
the bal in Peas.  We planted Y cultivated the
corn crops to be able to sell corn largely, but I fear
will not make more than enough for the use
of the plantations.  As far as I have seen on
the road our crops are as good, or better than
between this & Columbus if not Yazoo City in
the Bottom, or land of the same strength
The cotton [hole in paper] on the old lots is very small & can
not produce much cotton.  I have seen no good
cotton any where. The best corn & cotton crop I have
seen is in New Hope.  The land through all this
country was to wet from winter till after the
crops were all planted, & since that time has
been clody, & in a very bad condition to produce
any crops.  Oats & wheat ruined by rust, Rye good
our Stock of every kind are doing pretty well on
the Bolling field              Turn over

[page 2]
I have sent some of the Estates hands, one family
& some of yours down to Clark County to make
salt.  The Revd E. C. Handy (my wifes brother)
has charge of them.  One of the Estate's
hands after getting here in a waggon on his way
down to Clark Co: complained of being sick &
after that time, continued to get worse till
he died & since my arrival here Doct. Webb
said he would have been sick if he had remained at
home.  I addressed you, or doct. Cock, a letter
on my return home from the Bottom about two
weeks since.  I hope you have recd it.
The fresh in the River was higher than any one
since the settlement of the country.  Nearly
the whole of the bottom under water--The peoploe
have planted their corn & cotton land in Corn, & if
the seasons suit, will make good crops of corn.
If the war continues it will be needed, & I fear
more than we can possibly furnish.
I planted the corn crops in the Loundes county on the
Est. of your son's to sell 20,000 bushels, but
God only knows now, what we shall be able
to sell.  War pestilence & famine are upon
us.  A great many persons have burnt their
cotton on the Miss River, & in the country about
Holly Springs, & Memphis Ten:  Large Government
stores in Columbus.  We are fortifying the
town. A great many servants impressed into
the service of the country--16 from you son's Est.

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in Loundes County, & 8 on the Yazoo River have
been, but are now at home.
I feel thankful to  God to hear of the success of
our army near Richmond, & do hope it will
soon bring about a settlement of this cruel
& unjust war.  I have recd a short letter from you
to Sterling Hardy, is the only line I have seen from
you since the last of april & I have felt very
uneasy about you  Will you be so good
as to let me hear from you soon. Mrs.
Powell's health as usual, Mrs Randolph has made
herself sick nursing sick soldiers--About 1000
have died in Columbus since the Shilo Battle
One died in my house, who was wounded
I write on the only sheet of paper in the house & am
very unwell while writing.  I had an attack of colic
last night--I shall be here several days--
Our kind regards to Mrs Cock Y family--
doct Cocke & his family--our love to you
                                      yrs in Christ
                                      R.D. Powell
Genl John H  Cocke
Not much sickness among the servants here, in
Loundes, nor in the Miss: Bottom---our sheat
has been cleaned out today, between 60 & 70 Bushels
of very poor grain. --I have sold corn, & borrowed
money, & paid taxes  $260: 16/100 borrowed in
gold at 10 percent till paid----

[in left margin of page one]
I give the servants a babucue to day for
good conduct, & good work

Genl. John H. Cocke
Bremo Bluff
Fluvanna County
 Va.

MSS 640