Saturday, December 8, 2012

1862 December 9 University of Virgnia

                                 U of Va Dec 9th, 62-
Gen J.H. Cocke
                    Dear General
                                   Yesterday, at Mr F
Minor's request, I sent by a servant direction
by which his messenger might find his way
to Bremo--Mr. M. proposes to sent to you, this
week, the articles contemplated--
                I send by Mr Minor's man a bunch or
two of Paulonia seed and one root of the same-
 I have reserved another root (or two) for transporta-
tion in the spring to guard against accidents-
and because, (the ground being hard frozen) I
did not succeed in taking up the bush I sent
you as well as I wished--
                    Some of the seed might be planted
in the pods and some after being separated from them
                   The seed requires a moist place & I
have observed that they thrive best close to a wall &
in the curves of a brick pavement- (such as is
back of our chapel, and east of the Rotunda) only,
I suppose, because there the moisture is better
retained and the tiny seed better protected--The
tree is a "great drinker" (but only of water!?) and
the cultivator often lets the seed perish for
want of watering--In the pods sent there are
I reckon a million seeds--I trust many
of them will come to maturity under your culture-

[top half of address leaf]
We are all well at the University--My wife has had one
pretty severe attack of her old infirmity, neuralgia head-
ache-but got through it without taking medicine--Which
she considers a victory--We trust you and yours are all well
and that "your soul prospers"  How unimportant are all things
here below in comparison of our destiny beyond the grave!-
  Let us thank God for the word of his grace-and the influ-
ences of his spirit whereby we have been made alive from the dead--


[center half of address leaf]

docketed:
McGuffey, Dr Wm H
rec'd Decr.13.1862

Gen Jno H. Cocke
    Bremo Bluff.
      Fluv'a Co. Va-

[bottom half of address leaf]
  We hope the weather may not prevent you from visiting us
yet, before New year--Does Mr Skipwith still contemplate his
trip to Mr D. Smith's-?  We are putting up ice (three inches thick) at
the U. Will not this cold snap block up the rivers against Yankee
gun boats? I hope the fighting is mainly over for the winter--time is
our greatest General, or rather it is our sword in the hand of God
                            yours truly--W. H. McGuffey
I saw your grand son yesterday--He and his roommate are well

[right side of address leaf]
P.S. My wife, (who thinks your kindness
has no limits) asks if you will please send
her a "hop root"--Hops must be raised in the
confederacy--as they can no longer be bought--

MSS 640

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