1862 January 13 Corps of Artilery[sic], Pendleton Cantonment

My dear Father (General John Hartwell Cocke0

I must not defer longer to inform you of my safe
arrival at my post--as we expected when leaving Belmead
I remained one day in Richmond (Wednesday) to attend
to some necessary business--I left then by the cars at
1/2 past 7 Thursday morning whilst Lucy had the carriage
ready to let out for Mr Braxton's--I got to Manassa[s]
Junction about 6 P.M. where I found my horse & a wagon for
the luggage & came directly over to my Quarters 7 miles by
1/2 past 8 the way being pretty rough--I brought Mr Stratton &
Tyler over with me--Mr Stratton went over Friday morning to
get the horses & Camp furniture which he came after & I
have not heard from him since but suppose he got to the
Junction that afternoon in time to get his horses & other
things on the freight train by night--tho I should not be
surprised if he was detained longer--I thought however to have
reached Richmond at least by Sunday night & to get
home with the horses by tonight--So that you will be
able to hear from me through him--He left so soon
after getting his breakfast that I had no time to write by him.
I find several cases of sickness among my men still &
mostly cases of jaundice which has prevailed very much
in the Camps--& reduces the strength of the companies very materially.

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The quarters for the men have been all finished but
one, which is in fact the on more than is necessary for their
accomodation, & will be finished for a hospital--The
huts are covered with poles running from a ridge pole to the
eve & laid closely together, these poles are covered 4 inches with
straw & the straw covered 9 in to 1 foot with earth & so far
they tell me there has been very little trouble from rain.
I have one covered with boards which is certainly not as
warm as the others.

There is nothing of importance going forward as to any army
movements on this line that I hear of during the daily routine of
camp duty--but untill the whereabouts & purpose of the Burnside
expedition is fully apparent every thing here will be upon the alert
tho I have not any expectation the enemy will make any advance on
this point or neighborhood this winter--The great & heavy calamity
which has come upon me and upon you, my dear Father, but especially upon
my dear brothers family is present to my mind at all times--I cannot get rid
of the desire to be near them now, to share their sorrow and to do what I can
to support & soothe & encourage them all in their deep unspeakable bereavement and
also to be so situated that I might give any aid & attention I could render which is
so necessary shall be given to the business matters of the estate by some members
of the family--I know my dear Father in this dark hour that your trust is in
God to whose word you have ever by counsil & example directed our self[?] for there alone is to be found help & balm & comfort in the day of trouble--& there oh how fervently
at his footstool. How I asked for grace & strength & comfort for us all now bowed

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down by his Providence & sorely afflicted. I beg you
will give my affectionate love to my dear Sister, and
to the dear Girls, the younger children all & to John
& also our dear Louisiana I regret very much I did
[not] see her the night before I left Richmond--it was so
late when I returned to the hotel after starting going to
[words smeared] that I thought she had retired--
I hope my dear Father you will let me hear from
you soon and believe me ever your
affectionate son
Cary C. Cocke

[Cary C. Cocke, Captain of the Fluvanna Artillery]

MSS 640