1862 February 19 [Belmead, Va.]

[Cocke's letter is probably misdated by a day or two as he encloses a letter he received "yesterday" also dated the 19th. It is docketed as being received on the 22nd.]

Dear Grandpa [General John Hartwell Cocke]
I have been intending to
write to you ever since you left us, but to-
gether with letters from the other members of our
households, and dear little Charley's letters
you have doubtless been kept so well posted
that little else remained for me to say.
I have received the willows, which you re-
-quested me to have planted, and have had
the bank of the creek nicely cleaned up,
ready for them, and am now, waiting to
receive your directions as to how you would
wish them planted--which you wrote Charley
you would send me
Our farming operations have been very
much set back, by these unusual spells
of wet weather, and am afraid it will be
sometime yet, before we shall be able
to do any out-door work, even should
the bad weather cease at once-
We have all continued well since

[page 2]
you left us, and I hope and trust that
our dear Mother is becoming more reconciled
to the heavy affliction which God in his
Providence has seen fit to visit upon us.
I feel however uneasy about her sometimes
as she sometimes allows, gloomy, and melancholy
thoughts to usurp, the place of humility and
humble submission to the Will of "Him, who
doeth all things well", forgetting that it is God
who has dealt this heavy blow, and that
"He chastens not in wrath, but in mercy".
I hope however, as Time, may heal the freshness
of the wound,and alleviate in a measure her
affliction that she may be able to see through the
medium of a brighter Hope, of Eternity, the
necessity & goodness, of being afflicted; that she
may pass through the deep waters of affliction
more refined and purified for the Master's service
Our good friend Mr. Peyton Harrison is with
us now on a visit, and regrets not meeting
with you here. He goes down tomorrow to
Richmond to be at the Inauguration of
our first President. With love from all our household
and with the hope of seeing you soon
I remain your affect grandson
John B. Cocke
I enclose a letter to you from Uncle Charles
which came by mail on yesterday

Richmond Feby 19/62
My dear Father [General John Hartwell Cocke]
I send this by Robert as he
goes up home on the boat this
afternoon--I have sent in my resig
nation-in view of what seemed to
be my duty, tho since the late re-
verses--I am sure there is an obligation
upon all to make greater & greater sa-
crifices--I must see & converse with you
however on this head--I go this afternoon to
Hanover where Lucy will wait two or three
days for me to look into things there, I will
then come on home with her--probably by
way of Belmead--I have no time to write
more--love to Sally & Mr Brent & believe
me my dear Father your devoted son

Cary C. Cocke

MSS 640