1862 September 23, University of Virginia

                                        U. of Va Sept 23d 1862-
Gen J. H. Cocke
                             My Dear Friend,
                                                     This 23d of Sept, 62-
finds me sixty-two years of age--two years more than
three-score--Tho' not yet having attained to you
good old age--I must, hence forth,go amongst men
for an old man, and but few years remain to complete
the allotted span of human life "three-score & ten"--
-'Tis all well!  come when it may, Death can have
no terrors for us if we are prepared to sleep in Jesus-
  Your life and mine have been scenes of blessing, from
the God of all grace--and he has given us both, as I
trust, a good hope his grace of a blessed resurrection and
an eternity of joy at his own right hand in the Heavens.
God only knows whether either you or I shall
see another return of the anniversary of our birth on earth
but let us rest in hope, that we shall spend many, very many
returns of the anniversary of our second birth--(our conversion)
together in that world of joy which lies beyond the grave.
   I rejoice to be able to tell you that my dear wife
has almost entirely recovered--tho still but feeble, she
sleeps well, has a good appetite and is in every way gaining
her wanted health--Indeed I am led to hope that
she may have confirmed to her a more uniform ex-
emption from suffering that has been her lot since the
death of our dear little Anna--Verily my wife seems to
have been, in a manner, restored to me from the brink of the

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of the[sic] grave.  Her physician thought her life suspended by a hair
for several days.  But thanks to God, she is now out of
danger--and I have no dout[sic] that it is in special answer to
prayer--Can any man who at all observes the sequence of
events doubt that God does, specially and specifically answer
the prayers of this people?--The universe is in his hand, and he,
without disturbing the laws of Nature, so manages this great
[enquiry?] as, (like the conductor on the cars) to accomplish for
his people what they ask in faith, much that would not be
accomplished if they (his people) did not pray for it.
                      We are concerned for Uncle Ned--If he is still
with you give him our Christian greetings, and tell him
we have been praying for him, that he may recover if it be Gods
will, but if not that he may hold fast his confidence, till
he reaches the heavenly land and receives the crown--you,
my dear friend, will greatly miss your christian servant
should he be called home before you--But, He will do all
things well--I went out to the ragged mountains on the 18th
to aid e the friends in that region, in keeping thanksgivingday
We had a small audience but a very pleasant time--I
dined in the same house where years ago you and I took our
dinners with our old friend Mr Able who had been one of
your soldiers in the war of 12--His son Rawls is master there
now--a very good man and much like his father in charc
-ter--By the way--Can any man doubt that God oversees
prayer who reflects on the connection between our last fast
day and our subsequent victories?---Immediately after
the Nation humbled itself-God gave and continues to give us
                                                      the victory

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Mrs McGuffey thanks you heartily for the beautiful cluster of
black Hamburgs sent by young Strange--Should you find it
convenient to send here as you intimate a root--next spring she
will take all possible pains to cultivate it--Our vine did nobly
The fruit ripened perfectly-and we gathered a bushel of clusters from
the one unpruned vine!  We gathered the last cluster of the season
yesterday! Wish you had been here to share it with us!
       Dr. Cabell and family have returned in good health
Prof. Bledsoe is also now on the ground and these gentlemen
are read to begin their official instructions when the session
opens--What number of students we shall have remains to be
seen--Our Board did not so far as I can hear (for I have
not seen their record) do anything to secure Military
instruction in the university--our Lectures begin on the
1st day of act--a week from tomorrow--Will your grand-
son be on hand by that day?
   all our friends and yours are well here and all united
in their Christian regards to you and yours--
                                      Ever yours   WH McGuffey


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P.S. Dr Dabney, I hear has entirely recovered and intends
to return to the army!--Gen Jackson I am told refuses
to accept his resignation--says he (Jackson) cannot do
without "Major Dabney"--
                                      We have just heard a report
which seems to be authentic that this pious hero has
again signally defeated the Federals on the south bank
of the Potomac--verily God gives us the victory---
                                            yours WHMcG

University of Virginia professor William Holmes McGuffey to University of Virginia founder and Board of Visitors member for many years, General John Hartwell Cocke

MSS 640