1863 January 9 Greensboro, Ala

                              Greensboro, Ala.
                              Jany 9th / 63

My Dear Friend  [General John Hartwell Cocke]
Your favor
of the 22nd ulto, covering an
interesting communication
for the Bacon, was duly received,
and would have been answered
before this, but for the pressure
of business matters, growing
out of household and affairs,
duties, which are usually
heavier at the close of the old
year and the beginning of the
new.
Your communication, like your
letter, was most acceptable,
and will no doubt be perused
with interest by many of the
readers of the 'Beacon.'
  I deeply regret to learn that your
health is suffering from

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the severe weather you have
had, and sincerely hope that
it will soon be restored, and
that your friends in Alabama
will again enjoy the pleasure
of seeing you in their midst.
As you may suppose, we are
all feeling --some, however
who have lost loved ones, more
acutely than others - the effects
of the cruel and savage war
our enemy is waging against
us.  Many of the best and
most promising men of Greene
County have already fallen
in the bloody contest, and
others are no doubt destined
to fall before the contest is
brought to a close. - Though
I am still not without hope
of European interference - espe-
cially by France - in our behalf
between this and Spring, I confess
the present prospects are by no

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means favorable for an early
termination of the war.  But
the Supreme Ruler will no
doubt bring it to a close in
his own good time. - That
it can only be brought to a
close by the recognition of the
Independence of the Confederate
States, I am entirely satisfied,
and astonished that the intelligent
men of the North and West
have not already come to the
same conclusion.  The number
of those, however, who have
arrived at that conclusion, is, I
am well convinced, rapidly
increasing, and I confidently
believe there will be a
strong Peace Party, throughout
Yankeedom by the Spring,
if there is not one there
already.
   I have this morning seen
your particular friend, Mr.

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Benjamin Borden - he represents
the health of his family -
especially his wife - as not very
good.  Mrs. Borden is most deeply
afflicted on account of the death
of her son, Ruffin Gray, who
was killed either int he battle
of Fredericksburg, or in some
of the skirmishes which immediately
preceded that battle. -His
remains arrived here last
Tuesday night, and were interred
with funeral rites, at Mr.
Borden's on yesterday.
Your friend Mr Powell was
here some four or five weeks
ago, in his usual fine health.
I see some of your servants as
often as two or three times a week
and usual inquire if matters
are getting on well - have heard no
particular complaint.
Mrs Harvey, whose health continues
poor, desires to be most kindly remem-
bered to you. --Hooping that we shall
again have the pleasure of welcoming
you to our family circle I remain
Most Truly Your Friend John G. Harvey

MSS 640