Saturday, December 8, 2012

1862 December 9 Mount Laurel

Mount Laurel Dec 9th

Dear Grandpa [General John Hartwell Cocke]

I have been so much occupied in
preparing for my school, that I have neglected
writing to you before this time.  Alan & I went
into our cabins about a week ago & like it the idea
of house-keeping very well. The boys have to me
a new amusement which is skating.  I tried to skate
a little while on the pond, but did not succeed the first
two or three time.  I am getting so now that I can
skate pretty well.  tomorrow morning I am going to
get up & try the sport again & see if I cant do a
little better.  Mr Towers has prayers every morning
in the school-house & then after breakfast school takes
in & we study until twelve or half past & have an
hour's recess, then go in school & study until three
Every Sunday morning the boys walk a mile to church
& back & in the evening he has a Bible class for the
boys.  Jimmy has been very sick with the Typhoid
fever but I am glad to say is getting better.  It seems
that this part of Virginia is pretty healthy, for only
two of the boys are sick, one with the sore-throat &
the other with the rheumatism.  All the boys are going
away Christmas except one of two & I hope Father will let

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me come up & pay you a short visit.   I forgot to tell
you that I saw Johny Cocke at church last
Sunday and he was very well.  If you please tell
sister to write as often as possible.  As I have to write
another letter I will have to close, so good-bye-
                                  Yours affectionately
                                    Peyton H. Skipwith, Jr

MSS 640
   

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