1861 April 30 Richmond, Va.

Hd Qrs Va Forces
Sir:

The General commanding instructs me to say
to you in reply to so much of your communication of
the 28th inst as relates to the mission of Lt Col
Jones to Harpers Ferry, that Col. T.J. Jackson
of ^’the’ Va. Vols has been sent in c9ommand of that
point and the country in its immediate vicinity,
and that your attention in that quarter will not there-
fore be necessary for the present.

You have been requested by telegraph to make a requi
sition for ammunition, specifying the number and kind
of arms for which it is wanted, allowing fifty rounds for each
man including the quantity on hand. The Genl instructs
me to suggest that whatever ammunition you may want
beyond this quantity, might be made within the limits
of your command.

I am, Sir, very respectfully
Yr obt Servt
R.S. Garnett
Adj Genl

Brig Genl Cocke

[docketed]
Apr 30 Letter
R S Garnett
Adj Genl

T J Jackson to Harpers
ferry & requisition for
ammunition & arms
May 1st

MSS 640

1861 April 30 Warrenton, Va.

Gov Letcher

Dear Sir

I received, on yesterday, a letter under
date of 5th Inst. from my Nephew Lieut Caleb Smith
of the 2nd. Infantry enclosing his resignation in the
Army of the U States. He is in command of a
company of 80 men & is stationed at Fort Abercrombie
Dacotah Try. In consequence of the remoteness of his
post he had not, at the date of his letter heard of our ^’secession’
& therefore enclosed me his resignation to be for-
warded by me at the proper time. I forwarded it
today
. I also received the enclosed letter to you
tendering his services to the State of Va. Permit me
to add that he was in all the battles from Vera Cruz to
the City of Mexico, before which place in the bloody
fight of Melino del Rey he fell badly wounded. The
son of an Episcopal Minister, my brother, he was
reading law at Parkersburg where his Father resided
at the breaking out of the Mexican War. When the
battles on the Rio Grande occurred, carried away by

[page 2]
the brilliancy of those achievements, he entered a
Steam Boat, went to Maysville Ky. & enlisted as a
private in the regular Army. On his return from
Mexico President Polk made him a lieutenant of
Artillery from which service he exchanged into his
present Regt. to oblige his young friend Lieut De Russey
whose Regt. being ordered to Cal. & he being in delicate
health was advised by his physician, that the service
would probably cost him his life. By this means
Lieut Smith was thrown into the enforced Service
to which he refers & which has continued to the
present day. He is now a 1st Lieut. with but one
Captain in the way of his promotion, with a
good prospect of being a Captain in the service
of the U States, could he have reconciled himself to
have remained in it. He is brave, active, intelligent
& well educated. Should it be your pleasure to give
him an appointment in our provisional Army
you will please enclose it to me. I will add that I
have always understood that he was an excellent
soldier.

If we establish recruiting Stations for
our regular Army, I think Western Va. ought to be
freely occupied. It would, I am sure, have no little

[page 3]
effect upon public sentiment. Lieut. Smiths Mother
lives in Parkersburg, his Brother is City Postmaster not
having been removed & I suppose will not be now: and
were Parkersburg put made a recruiting station &
put in charge of an efficient officer, I am perfectly
satisfied many recruits might in a very short time
be obtained. I think Lieut. S. would be such officer
until the active duties of the field should require
him upon a different theatre.

Trusting that you may confer upon
him an efficient position among the Defenders of
our State I remain

Most resp[ectfull]y & sincerely yrs

Wm Smith

[docketed :
Hon. Wm. Smith
Enclosing his nephews
tender of Service
Caleb Smith
General Tender
writes from Warrenton April 30]

MSS 38-148

1861 April 29 University of Virginia

Dear Uncle

Excitement being on the wane just now, in these parts,
perhaps a letter from the University of Virginia, which has
now become little more than a military school, would
not be uninteresting to you: especially as I believe
John M. & Charley have not succeeded as well as myself
in throwing off what appears to me a family failing,
viz, aversion to writing. I believe my last letter was
not of the kind to meet a warm welcome from you.
At least I fear such was the case. But what I most fear
in regard to it is that you consider its sentiments and
arguments (if any) as mere gleanings & copyings from
sensation papers & speeches of the day: but I disclaim any
such origin for them. Perhaps in expression & in scope
& meaning there was some resemblance. If in expression
I did not take care & time to express myself fully and
completely. Be that as it may I am satisfied of the cor-
rectness of my conclusions. If no other state has or had
the right to withdraw from the Federal Union, Virginia
has, whenever she judges herself aggreived by said Union.
And she is the only competent judge of whether she be
aggrieved or not, & if this be denied, her sovereignty
as a state must be denied also.

I think Charley wrote you of John’s going to Harper’s
Ferry: perhaps John has written you of it himself

[page 2]
since his return. Shortly after the departure of the
two old companies, the Southern Guard, & the Sons of
Liberty, Dr Bledsoe formed another company & I am
a member thereof. We drill on the Lawn in front
of the Rotunda, an hour & a quarter every evening,
so that there can be seen three companies there
every day now. Two hundred ^’and forty’ men will not make
a poor show for the University.

Perhaps you have not heard of our flagraising. Flagraising
has become quite trite nowadays. But a flag such as that
which has been floating over our Rotunda for the past
week is not so trite & common. On one side we see the
seal of our noble old state, the “Sic semper tyranis”
with a ground of blue. On the other are seen the columns
of the Confederate States–the stars arranged in a circle
with Virginia’s in the centre.

We are all anxious to leave here & have a fight with Gen
Scotts collection from Yankeedom, Ireland, France, Spain
Germany &c, just merely to show that we boys are not
afraid to shed our blood, or get a scratch or so for the
honor of the Old Dominion. Otherwise we would like
to find some more respectable antagonists. We expect, or
at least I do, that we will have to fight a good many
battles, but not hard ones; as yankees consider man’s
first duty to be, taking care of himself; & they will
in all probability find that the cheapest & surest way to
secure that desirable end–self preservation–when
an army of Virginians come to the chargae, is to drop

[page 3]
their arms & get out of the way as fast as possible.

Perhaps when Gen Scott comes to invade Virginia,
he will find that Lee is not Santa Anna, that Virginia
is not mexico, & that Yankeemen, Dutchmen, & Irishmen,
of the stamp found in the North are not exactly to be
relied on as much as Tennessee & Kentucky volunteers.
However that may be, he will find Virginians not much
inferior in courage & valour to the Britons their ancestors.

Do you hear from Uncle James? He is in a rather dangerous
position, so close to Cincinnatti.

But I do not wish to trouble you with too long a
letter & therefore close this. I have not heard from
home lately. Beleive me your affectionate nephew.

Walter C. Preston

Mr. John M. Preston, Sr.

[docketed Walter C. Preson
29 Apl. 61]

MSS 11143

1861 April 29 Martinsburg

My dear John,

“‘Tis past a doubt
all Bedlam,” or the D-C,
is let out.”

The shape of things
in Balto, Maryland & here
is disquieting & contemp-
-tible
–to the last degree.
Foolery is ascendant, &
–in my judgment–only
to be got rid of by the ul-
tima ratio
.

I am too looking, with
increased eagerness, to
getting–as soon as possible
–to some place where
“From the look-holes of which,
to peep at such a world.”

I wish & intend to get
to Berkeley Springs, in a
few weeks–or sooner if
circumstances may so direct.

I am anxious to know
your programme.

Pray inform me;
Yrs affectly
P[hilip].C.P[endleton]
J[ohn]. P[endleton]. K[ennedy]esq.
over——

[page 2]
Were you not asto-
nished — aye–astounded
at this act of secession
by our Virginia conven-
tion? I was & am.

The influences — other
than want of sense or
want of integrity that
achieved it, are inexpli-
-cable to me–but I do not
doubt, that they are now
being brought to bear
upon Maryland
.

I can not imagine what
they are, unless it be, a
thoroughly ascertained
determination by England
& France to interfere–
but interfere, only in the
contigency that the Bor-
-der slave states write
their fate with that of
the entire Spouth
P.

docketed April 1861
P.C. Pendleton.

MSS 10159-f

1861 April 29 Powhatan

Gen. Jno Cocke

My Dear Brother!

I had the pleasure of reciev
ing a letter from you, some two months since, and
have been waiting to hear of your return to Va
that I might reply: and having just recieved
a letter from our esteemed and excellent friend
Miss Gray, informing me of your arrival, at
Bremo, I hasten to write to you to express my
thanks for the Kind and brotherly letter you
wrote me, and to congratulate you on your
safe return to your endeared home and
friends I feel thankful to the Father of
mercies that your valuable life has
been preserved through another winter
and that your health is still comfortable.

My own health I trust is slowly im-
proving amid my bodily afflictions I
have some things to be especially thankful
for. I have not suffered much bodily
pain and been able with impunity to
preach short sermons and do some

[page 2]
some pastoral work. Mrs Tyree whose
health has also improved joins me in
affectionate regard to yourself and our
friend Miss Gray. We intend making you
a visit early in the summer. When we
shall learn that you will be at home
we will fix the time. I design that
the visit shall include a Sab. to be
spent at the old Brick [church]

I had the pleasure on the past evening
of visiting the family of your Son at Belmeade.
They are remarkably calm, considering the
intensely excited and perilous condition
of our Country, and that your son &
grandson are away in the front of
danger. It is hard to realize the
state of things we are in. Unless God
in answer to the prayers of his people,
interposes, one of the bloodiest wars
known in history is just on us. I
cannot see how it will be averted.
The wronged, indignant South can-
not and ought not to yield. The wicked
fanatical and tyranical North I fear
will not and yet the God of providence
and of nations reigns. He can

[page 3]
with infinite ease avert the terrible im-
pending calamity, which now seems so
inevitable. The danger is that Southern
Christians in seeking to redress our wrongs
with the sword will lose the spirit of
Christ and cease to implore divine
help. Though unquestionable in the
right if we become vindictive and
prayerless, God may abandon us to heavy
judgment. I am anxious that my
churches should not lose the Christian
in the citizen in the great crisis, and
hence expect to preach to them on the
subject on next Sab. week.

The appointment of your son Philip
was recieved as most gratifying to his
many friends in this Co. Say to Miss
Gray I will answer her letter
soon. Hoping to hear from you soon
or see you in Powhatan. I

Remain your bro. in Christ
Tyree
Gen. Jno. H. Cocke

[docketed: Tyree, Rev. C. ans. 2 May 61 and Do. 8th]

MSS 640

1861April 28 Harper’s Ferry

   Harpers Ferry  April 28th  61
                        Dear Ma
                                      As I have another opportu-
nity to write, I will do so, though I’ve Just written
to Sister a day or two ago, but was disappointed
in get[t]ing it off, as soon as I expected, as Tip
Johnson, who expected to have started home last Friday
was left.  I will never let another opportunity pass
without writing if I can possibly find the time to
write.  It is a real undertaking to commence a
letter here, as I’m interupted so often & there
is so much confusion.  The letters were received
Friday, & you can well imagine how glad I was
to hear from you all at home.  The papers were
also gladly received, they were a great treat to
me, as they were the first Richmond papers I’ve
seen since I left, we see the Baltimore sun right often
The little testament was also received, which I prize
very highly, I will read it every day if I can,
and hope it will be a benefit to me.  It makes me
think of you all very much this morning at home
as It is Sunday, & I know you are all having a quiet
time of it at home this morning.  It does not look
anything like Sunday to me, but I’m my
qu rather more quietor than I was last Sunday, as
it is raining too hard to be out to day on drill

[page 2]
If it stops raining to day, we will move our quarters
up in Bolivar, a little place adjoining this, I do n’t
know how good the quarters are, am afraid they are not
as good as our present,  I do n’t know why we are
to be moved.  A good many of the other Companies are to be
moved to the same place, Cousine Will Ashby’s company amongst
them.  I saw a letter to Will Ashby the other day
from Aunt Kate, they were all well.  Cousine Jack
Pendleton was pointed out to me yesterday, while we
were parading on the field, I do n’t know what he
is doing here, or where he is staying,  I think he is
a right handsome old Gentleman.
Garret Gooch was here this morning to see us, he came
on business & will return this evening.  He laughed at us
very much, & asked us if we ever washed our faces,
said they did n’t look as if they were washed lately.
I’ve Just dined, & a fine dinner we had, beef & potatoes
I do n’t think the beef was quite as tough a usual
to day.  Ma, I wish you could see us dining once,
I reckon you would laugh to see me march up
& get my tin cup & plate.  Some of the men complain
very much of the fare, but I know there is no use
of complain[in]g, & therefore keep very silent.  I thought
while I was eating to day, that I would enjoy a
cold dinner very much at home.  Joe & I laugh at
one each another very much about our eating, sleeping &C _
   Our Company has increased very much since we left,
some of our recruits were not very much pleased with our
way of living, & therefore left the next day.

[page 3]
     Tell Mr. Thompson & Henry Chiles, that I would like
very much to see them here, but if they are as
smart as I am now, they will stay home, as
long as they can.  I want to be with you
all at home very much, but know it is impos-
sible at present, & therefore I try to be satisfied as
well as I can, & hope you will do the same, & not
make yr self uneasy about me.  I reckon
we will remain here until all of the machinery
is removed, they are moving it now very fast, I
reckon it will take at least a month yet to finish.
It is very probable that we will have to go to
Richmond or someother place before we come Home.
I would like very much to hear from Penny,
let me hear something about  him when you write
Joe & Mr Bickers are well, both send best love –
If you have an opportunity, please send me
one or two shirts, a few collars & two or three coarse
towels.  I’m very well & have been the whole
time with the exception of a cold, which is
nearly well now.  I’m afraid you ca n’t read
this as it is written so badly, I can’t get
a pen & ink at all.  My best love to all at
home, Aunt Cynthia’s, & all inquiring friends –
                            I remain as ever yr devoted
                            & most Aff son
                                                  Edloe
Write whenever you can.

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

Philip Edloe Jones and his brothers John William Jones, and Francis Pendleton Jones all served in the Louisa Blues, 13th Virginia Infantry. John W. was later famous as the author of Christ in the Camp.

MSS 13407

1861 April 28 Richmond, Va.

Hd. Qrs. Va. Forces

Special Orders
No. 7

Colonel Thomas J. Jackson Va
volunteers, having been assigned to the duty
of mustering into the service volunteers at Harpers
Ferry, and to the command of that place,
Major General Kenton Harper of the Va
militia, now in command there and the militia
troops under him, are relieved from duty until
further orders. Great credit & commendation
is due to Genl Harper and his command for
the alacrity with which they came to the
defence of that part of their State.

By order of Maj Genl Lee
R. S. Garnett
Adjutant General

[docketed on back?]
S O no 7
Apr 28
RS Garnett

TJ Jackson

Apr 30

1861 April 28 Culpeper C.H.

Dear Uncle Charles [Cocke];

I write at
Papa’s request to you to send
your horse Tallyho by the
boy Sterling who will ride
him to Charlottesville and
from thence to Culpeper
C.H. ^’in a week’ which is now his
Head quarters. Please give
the boy the necessary directions
about the road, and when
he may get information
from Charlottesville to this
pace Culpeper C.H.

I have not time to write more
so please excust brevity.

Love to all

I am yr affect nephew
Jno Cocke

[[in top margin]
Please give him the requisite passes.

MSS 640

1861 April 28 Elmwood

Dear Agnes,

I arrived at home on Thursday, after a
pleasant trip, unattended with any thing worthy of
remark. I found the Captain of the “Valley” a very
agreeable and gentlemanly man, and the boat well
managed and comfortable. I arrived in Cincinnati in
time for the evening cars on Tuesday and did not delay
in taking my departure from that black Republican City
arriving in St Louis on Wednesday at about 10 o clock.
I found several of the neighbors in the city, namely
Doct Wilson, Doct Talley, D.K. Pitman and others, who
informed me of home, and quieted my mind in regard to
that matter, and reached home on Thursday about noon.
Since I have been at home, I have been busy looking
around to see what has been done in my absence, and
have come to the conclusion that Mr Sleet has done as
well as I could have done had I been here. He has
attended to the garden, and planted such vegetables as
we are in the habit of raising. But the Guineas had
destroyed all of the first planting of the peas. I shall
see that they commit no more depredations, upon the
forfeiture of their lives. We are busily engaged in planting
corn, and hope to get done in another week. I have not
seen any of Mr Woodson’s family, but I believe all are well.
The Bates family are making preparations for removing

[page 2]
to Washington City, having rented out their house and
about disposing of their furniture. The girls intend
making a trip to our neighborhood before their departure
to spend a few days. It would not astonish me, if the City
of Washington is in ruins before they arrive there, for it
seems to be the prevalent opinion here, that Jeff Davis intends to
concentrate his army thereabouts, and the northern army is
making for that point also. As circumstances now indicate
the great battle of the country will be fought there.

The Secession feeling in this State is fast gaining strength
and public meetings are being held in all parts declaring
that their sentiments and their sympathies are for the South
and in some places I hear of the Secession flag being floating
in the breeze. God only knows what the end will be.

The currency of the country has depreciated, and our money
at home is at a discount of 10 per cent. You had better pay
your fare on the boat before you leave Kanawha, and if you
can, get specia to pay your R Road fare to St Louis for in
Cincinnati they will shave any paper you can get in Va.

I was over to see Mrs Wharton yesterday and found her about
as usual. She is much disturbed at the condition of the
Country and seems to deeply lament the dissolution of our once
glorious union. Doct Wilson has just left, and I resume the
pleasing duty of communicating my thoughts. We are in a crisis. I
feel that it is exceedingly doubtful whether or not we will be left
with a competence or not. What the course of the admn. at Washington will adopt, is uncertain. It seems from the present indications, that
the Slave states are to be subjugated, if it be possible to do it

[page 3]
All the arms ^'(25 thousand muskets)’ have been removed from St. Louis, and have
been sent to Springfield Ill. This was done in the night, and
we are now, without any means of defence save our fowling
pieces, and without the means of getting the proper arms of
defence from abroad. But I will cease to dwell on this
melancholy subject longer. I shall endeavor to make
as much crop as I can and should we be let alone
we can have the means of living within ourselves, (that
is), what is necessary to sustain life–All that we can with
reason hope for, is, to be able to meet the demands of nature, and
with this, we must be content. All the neighbors are well so far as
I have learned, and are busily engaged in farming operations. I found
a letter from Eliza dated the 3rd Inst. and have not recd any other as
yet. I expect the mails are interrupted on the way, or surely I would
receive letters from her, punctual as she has always been. I shall
write her this evening and inform her of things at home, and enquire
why she has not written frequently. Bates has written a short
letter to you which I enclose. He is as fond of hunting & fishing as ever
but insists that he studies well at school. I did not go to church
to day as Mr Watson preaches at Pauldingville. My intention is
to stay close at home, and watch the movement of things, and
if the emergency comes Doct Wilson and myself have agreed that
we will take the servants by land through Arkansas to Texas. But
this is private talk. I shall write you again in a few days
& will keep you posted in regard to home matters. Love to all the
families at your Brother Nats’ & Mr Ruffins’. Kiss little Julia for me,

Affectionately yours
R B Frayser

MSS 14861

1861 April 27 Boston

Under the Washington Elm, Cambridge, April 27, 1861

a poem by Oliver Wendell Holmes

Eighty years have passed, and more,
Since under the brave old tree
Our fathers gathered in arms and swore
They would follow the sign their banners bore,
And fight till the land was free.

Half of their work was done,
Half is left to do,–
Cambridge, and Concord, and Lexington!
When the battle is fought and won,
What shall be told of you?

Hark!–’tis the south wind moans,–
Who are the martyrs down?
Ah, the marrow was true in your children’s bones,
That sprinkled with blood the cursed stones
Of the murder-haunted town!

What if the storm-clouds blow?
What if the green leaves fall?
Better the crashing tempest’s throe
Than the army of worms that gnawed below;
Trample them one and all!

Then when the battle is won,
And the land from traitors free,
Our children shall tell of the strife begun
When Liberty’s second April sun
Was bright on our brave old tree!

From Chimes of Freedom and Union, a Collection of Poems for the Times
published in Boston by Benjamin B. Russell, 1861.

Included poems by Holmes, Jean Greenleaf Whittier, William Cullen Bryant and other noted poets of the time.

PS1959 .A7 v.1 no. 3