1862 July 18 Richmond, Va.

Richmond Thursday
My darling wife
I write to let you
all know of my safe arrival
in this place after one of the
hottest rides I ever took--the
weather is still so warm, that
I am afraid to expose myself
to the sun--I met with a
number of your acquaintances
on the South Side & Danville
roads Col Peyton, Alex Carrington
wife & child, Abram Venable
Chas Carrington &c
Col Peyton says that Gov Floyd
has only about 250 men &
cant possibly raise more
by enlistment--Fannie

[page 2]
Venable says that Campbell
could walk a little with
crutches when she heard
last--I found John Lewis
at Mrs Sudduths and took
up my quarters with him.
He is looking very thin &
badly, I am afraid his
liver is disordered--he cant
bear exposure to the hot
sun at all--he tried to go
to the Broad Street Depot a
few days ago and had to
return--I shall try to per-
-suade him to return to the
mountains when he can
get some fresh air, for I am
surprised at any one being

[page 3]
able to live in such a  hot
disagreeable hole as Richmond
is--John Lewis thinks though
that he will return to his
company where there is a
good deal of office business
to be done, without exposure.
Henry took dinner with us
today--I spent a part of
this morning at Seabrooks
Hospital and have a heap
to tell you about wounds
& scars--I hope to see George
tomorrow or next day--Mr
Blair is sick and substi-
tutes very scarce--
John Lewis & myself visited
the market this morning.

[page 4]
Bacon around 55 cts--Toma-
toes $1.00 pr quart--potatoes
thirty cents per quart--butter
1.00  Home made soap 75 cts.
& other things in proportion.
No molasses in town--
Molasses and sugar would
be cheaper in Lynchburg
than here.

I saw [Mosby?] Lewis in town
this morning--he was very
well-
Excuse this scrawl, but
it is immediately after
dinner, and very very
very hot--
With much love to Ma Pa
the rest & yourself--
I am your devoted husband

unsigned letter of Howe Peyton Cochran

MSS 9380