1861 May 24 Manassas Junction

My dear Father

I have received your two
highly interesting & affectionate letters [?]
through the servant who brought the horse
belonging to brother Charles from Bremo the
other a day or two since–

I have just arrived here an hour or two
ago from Culpepper C H. bringing with me all
the [?] force I had there & [?]
that other troops should follow as soon as
armed & organized–

The enemy entered & occupied Alexandria
in strength yesterday morning our little
force just having time to take the arms
& escape to this place & the cavalry
also escaping except one troop that of
Capt Bale of Fairfax some 70 troopers
taken prisoners by the enemy by surprise
Brig. Genl Bonham of South Carolina is in
command at present on this line. My position
being fixed as that of the 1st Col in the Volunteers
but of the Volunteers of the state so that I am
second perhaps in rank here although that
not be so very long as troops will
doubtless be brought forward rapidly to the
front at present we have about 2500 men
of all arms.

[page 2]
another South Carolina regiment expected today–
The war has now fairly commenced by the
invasion in force of Virginia soil–God defend
the right!–

I met Courtney in Richmond when [?] for
four days coming there on Wednesday morning last
& she leaving for here the evening of the same
day– I left John B–at Culpepper C H
I probably shall not return there–But form
my regiment & remain with this Command–

I have a thousand things to say to you but
have no time. In three months last past I
have lived a century of events & emotions
Greater events are at hand! May God prepare
me to act my humble part in them in a
manner worthy of the cause & of the Country!

When you shall care to know the history of
the action of the State Convention & of the Council
of State (and I have a second to [?] of it all)
in regard to my Commission–my rank & my Command
in this line as well as of the spirit to which I have
met the most extraordinary proceeding in regard
to the said Commission Commmand & rank ever
practiced by any Goverment under heaven to-
wards a man in high military position–you
will have no cause to regret either my own cause
& just–& present position. I shall leave a
[?] record behind me for my children and

[page 3]
my family–I feel that I am on the line of duty
with a clear conscience–and can not be
[?] for my propriety–God helping me!

Tell brother Charles I see he too has been
Commd as Lt Col of Vol–& may be thrown in
this line—Tell him his horse shall be
at his call–I shall write to him soon
The horse will remain at culpeper C H
in John’s care—

With leve to all I remain my dear
father
Yr. affct son
Philip St Geo Cocke

Genl Jno H. Cocke
Bremo Bluff

Cocke mentions his brother Dr. Cary Charles Cocke, his son John Bowdoin Cocke, his wife Sally Elizabeth Courtney Bowdoin Cocke, and a family slave Sterling.

MSS 640

1861 May 24 [ Loudoun County, Va.]

MIRROR—-Extra.

902 MAJORITY

OLD LOUDOUN RIGHT SIDE UP!

FRIDAY MORNING, MAY 24, 1861. find
below the result of the vote in this county on
yesterday
_________________________________

Leesburg B.P. Noland 312 Mat. Harrison 285 John W. Minor 155 John George 11 J.J. Henshaw 1 W. F. Mercer 8

Mt. Gilead B.P. Noland 94 Mat. Harrison 92 John W. Minor 18 John George 4 J.J. Henshaw 11 W. F. Mercer 88

Goresville B.P. Noland 90 Mat. Harrison 24 John W. Minor 92 John George 16 J.J. Henshaw 9 W. F. Mercer 8

Whaley’s B.P. Noland 50 Mat. Harrison 80 John W. Minor 3 John George 0 J.J. Henshaw 0 W. F. Mercer 0

Gum Spring B.P. Noland 11 Mat. Harrison 83 John W. Minor 3 John George 2 J.J. Henshaw 0 W. F. Mercer 0

Pursellville B.P. Noland 77 Mat. Harrison 53 John W. Minor 24 John George 0 J.J. Henshaw 17 W. F. Mercer 23

Waterford B.P. Noland 25 Mat. Harrison 16 John W. Minor 16 John George 4 J.J. Henshaw 201 W. F. Mercer 209

Middleburg B.P. Noland 97 Mat. Harrison 17 John W. Minor 34 John George 37 J.J. Henshaw 0 W. F. Mercer 0

Lovettsville B.P. Noland 17 Mat. Harrison 29 John W. Minor 9 John George 51 J.J. Henshaw 1279 W. F. Mercer 279

Snickersville B.P. Noland 98 Mat. Harrison 75 John W. Minor 17 John George 5 J.J. Henshaw 0 W. F. Mercer 0

Hillsborough B.P. Noland 65 Mat. Harrison 63 John W. Minor 7 John George 26 J.J. Henshaw 1 W. F. Mercer 28

Water’s B.P. Noland 22 Mat. Harrison 23 John W. Minor 0 John George 5 J.J. Henshaw 40 W. F. Mercer 44

Union B.P. Noland 139 Mat. Harrison 27 John W. Minor 102 John George 4 J.J. Henshaw 1 W. F. Mercer 1

Aldie B.P. Noland 52 Mat. Harrison 26 John W. Minor 7 John George 2 J.J. Henshaw 0 W. F. Mercer 0

Powell’s Shop B.P. Noland 59 Mat. Harrison 21 John W. Minor 36 John George 3 J.J. Henshaw 0 W. F. Mercer 0

Total 1308 914 543 151 585 617

Leesburg For Secession 400 Ag’st Secession 22 For Amend’nt 367 Ag. Amend’nt 56

Goresville For Secession 117 Ag’st Secession 19For Amend’nt 110 Ag. Amend’nt 9

Whaley’s For Secession 108 Ag’st Secession 0 For Amend’nt 93 Ag. Amend’nt 14

Waterford For Secession 31 Ag’st Secession 220 For Amend’nt 50 Ag. Amend’nt 167

Mt. Gilead For Secession 102 Ag’st Secession 19 For Amend’nt 109 Ag. Amend’nt 6

Pursellville For Secession 82 Ag’st Secession 31 For Amend’nt 96 Ag. Amend’nt 7

Gum Spring For Secession 135 Ag’st Secession 5 For Amend’nt 107 Ag. Amend’nt 22

Hillsborough For Secession 84 Ag’st Secession 38 For Amend’nt 100 Ag. Amend’nt 10

Middleburg For Secession 115 Ag’st Secession 0 For Amend’nt 95 Ag. Amend’nt 10

Lovettsville For Secession 46 Ag’st Secession 325 For Amend’nt 240 Ag. Amend’nt 18

Snickersville For Secession 116 Ag’st Secession 3 For Amend’nt 101 Ag. Amend’nt 6

Waters’ For Secession 26 Ag’st Secession 39 For Amend’nt 63 Ag. Amend’nt 2

Union For Secession 150 Ag’st Secession 0 For Amend’nt 135 Ag. Amend’nt 11

Aldie For Secession 54 Ag’st Secession 5 For Amend’nt 38 Ag. Amend’nt 7

Powell’s Shop For Secession 62 Ag’st Secession 0 For Amend’nt 59 Ag. Amend’nt 2

Total 1628 726 1763 341

A number of votes were cast for C. B.
Ball and J.R. Carter, but as neither gentle-
man was a candidate we take no note of the
vote.

Broadside 1861 .M57

1861 May 24 Martinsburg

My Dear Monkey –

After mentioning it in your
letter you add in a postscript
“don’t forget to tell me where your
books are” I told you in my last
but wish I had not. Really, Love [I] [Edge of page is torn away.]
do not wish you to be annoyed [by] [Edge of page is torn away.]
any business, I wish you to be very
happy and this I know you cannot
be if you undertake to harass your
self with my business. Go out home
occasionally and see how matters
are going on, but do not trouble
yourself any further. S. I. Campbell
has returned home. He kindly prom
ised to look after the Frenchmen for
me and you need give yourself
no further trouble about them. As
for the woodchoppers they are nearly
paid up & they must wait for the
balance until I return. If never
then you can adjust the account
and the this I wish you to give
them all they ^ ‘can’ possibly be entitled
to demand, for I wish no man to
have occasion to say that I have
wronged him. I gave Mr Camp
bell $50 to disburse for the French
men as he might think best. I enclose
the $10 which you paid Arlstock –
Don’t think of paying out any more
money for me. You speak of an
other free negro claiming $70 –

[page 2]
I cannot think who it can be but
am sure that I do not owe any of
them more than $20, and if you
undertake to settle with them you
will probably be cheated – Some of
my creditors may possibly be subjected

[The first word in each of the next three lines
is conjecture as the page is torn.]

[to] inconvenience by my absence, but
[I] suffer far more by it than any
[one] else and they must be patient
So – Love if any one calls on you about
my matters tell them my instructions
to you are to have nothing to do with
them. Write no more about business
but about my dear wife & little ones
if you wish to make your letters in
teresting.

We have been kept moving since we
came here. We have a hard time
but have gotten used to it. The
men were discontented and un
manageable at first but are now
very well satisfied. This section
is now in most complete condition
for defence – abundantly able
I think to resist any force which
can be made against it. Troops
have been lately arriving in large
numbers. I have no idea when the
battle will be fought. Many of
us will fall in it but I have
no doubt of our success.
And now my darling goodbye until
I write again. I will write to Jack &
send him some money. I send you a book
by mail which put away for me –
Kiss Mathew and Gala for me

Ever Yours
E F Paxton

MSS 2165,-a

1861 [May 24?] [Wheeling, Virginia?]

TRAITORS IN WHEELING.

Below will be found a complete list of the Traitors and Rebels of Wheeling, Va., who voted May 23, 1861, for the infamous Ordinance of Secession, adopted by the usurpers in the Richmond, Va., Convention.

John Hunter, formerly of Steubenville, Ohio.
Nicholas Crawley, Grocer, Market Square.
J. W. Mitchell, Lawyer.
George Wheller, clerk under John M’Collo, of Co. Court.
eugene Zane, son ofo Ebenzar Zane, deceaed.
R. A. Stansbury, son of Job Stansbury.
John H. Towers, Clerk with Thomas Hughes.
Aaron Kelly, Nail Factory, Benwood.
John Knote, Saddler, Main street.
Edmund P. Zane, Lawyer.
Aber Keyes, clerk with Thomas Hughes.
Dr. Alfred Hughes, brother of Thomas Hughes.
Coorod Goldsborough.
A. F. Hullihen, dentist.
T. E. Askew, Confectioner.
James M. Bulger, Coffee House.
Thomas Hughes, Clothing House.
Charles W. Seabright, clerk with T. Hughes.
Rodolph Over.
Wm. Wharton.
Michael Riley, Grocer and Liquors, Market & Monroe sts.
J. B. Riley, clerk with M. Riley.
John W. Orr, shoemaker, from Washington, Pa.
J. Updegraff, Steamboat Captain.
J. L. Faunce, from Smithfield, Ohio.
John L. Maxwell, clerk.
Ira Sanger, a New Yorker.
Ebenzer McCoy, botanic doctor.
Walter G. Scott, carpenter.
Wm. Miller, foundry, near creek bridge.
Robert Ibertson, Grocer, corner Market and Union sts.
John Bulger, Saddler.
W.B. Miller, foundry, creek bridge.
John Webb.
Wm. Goudy, sr., carpenter.
James Sweeney, sr., brick maker.
Joseph Caulwell.
William C. Phillips.
Phillip W. Moore, Editor Union.
Tom Strain.
Jerome Pool,coffee house, Washington Hall.
J. H. McNash, formerly of Bosley & McNash.
Thomas M. Riley, (M. Riley’s son).
Phil Riley, do do
John L. Bonham, firm of Matthews & Bonham.
James Hamlin, South Wheeling.
Dr. James W. Clemins.
Miles Riley, drayman.
Andrew White, clerk North-Western Bank.
Peter Letcher, Catholic Bookseller, Washington Hall.
Henry Dunlap.
Henry Moore, from Washington, Pa.
George Henry, cigar maker.
Jobe Stansbery, sexton East Wheeling graveyard.
Andy A. Gillespy.
A. M. Phillips, Jr.
Harrison Saylards.
Thos. J. Gardner, lumber merchant, North Wheeling.
H. W. Phillips, Machinist and Foundry, North Wheeling.
C. W. McKinstry.
A. M. Phillips, Sr.
A. J. Pannell, Lumber Merchant, near Custon House.
W. G. Goshorn.
Alexander Pannell, carpenter.
Daniel Steenrod, Esq.
Hon. Lewis Steenrod.
Wm. P. Wilson, boat builder, firm Wilson, Dunlevy & co.
John W. Betz.
Willaim Stewart, foundry.
Maddis Ruse.
Dan Dunbar, Engineer.
Wm. McCoy, Cashier of Savings Institute.
Daniel Zane (Island).
John L. Fry, son of J. L. Fry.
D. J. Dores.
Peter Francis.
S. D. Woodrow.
William Switzer.
William Purcell.
William Otterson, Railroad stone mason.

Broadside 1861 .T 73

1861 May 23 Mechums River [Albemarle County, Va.]

Dear Frank I drop you a few
lines to let you no how we are getting
along we are all redy to give Old
lincon fits & his backers if it is in
our power we will give him
a chunk of a fite anny how if
he coms to Virginia I never saw people
so stirrred up as they are in our
neighberwood Cap John Brays
company left for culperper court
house this morning Col win has
made up a company at mechums
River and white hall of 60 or 70
volunteers they are having them
uniforms made now Bural is one
& Hughson John maupin Wm O woods
and a good manny other boys in the
neighberwood

we had a verry unexpectted marrage
in the neighberwood last Thursday
night–Miss linda woodson & mr
Cattleton married we are all well as usual
you must write son
Yours Respectfully
Jas H Jarman

MSS 13582

1861 May 23 Stony Point, Albemarle County, Va.

Sir

Wm W. Goss a
second Lieutenant in the
Piedmont Rifles (Captn Peyton)
now at Culpeper Court House
is my deputy sheriff of this
county, whose services I need,
and I write this to ask you
to order his discharge and
return home—The Governors
letter to me states that he
forbids either sheriff or
their deputy entering the
military service & refers to
you

Your attention will oblige
yrs. Very Respectfully
Jno W. Goss Shff of Albemarle

Gen. Cocke
MSS 640

1861 May 23 Eufala, Ala

[RD]
Dear Dent –
Your favor of the 15th Inst Came
to hand a few days since and Contents Notice –
On my return from Pensacola I enquired
both at Montgomery & Columbus for
Staff buttons and was told that not
a singe one Could be had in either place.
On last Saturday an advertisement appeared
in the “Columbus Sun” saying that [hole in paper at this point]
had Commenced the Manufacture of all
kinds of Mil.. buttons – On Sunday I wrote
to a Concern there to send me a set by
return Mail and not having received
any answer as yet I take it for
granted that the parties who propose
Manufacturing the buttons have not
Commenced yet – I will write again

this evening and as soon as I can
get the buttons will make your
Coat and send it down or rather
to your wife – Our Small and Sparse
-ly populated City was again thrown into

[page 2]
a voluminous blaze of excitement on last
evening by the announcement from Apalachicola
Fla by Telegraph that Lincolns forces
had threatened to enter and destroy it
unless they would give up a Schooner
which had been seized a few days previous
by the Citizens of Apalachicola which
it seems they did not intend to do without
a small bit of a fight – Consequently
sent a Telegram to this place for
fifty casks Bacon – fifty Bbls
flour – all the Meal and Corn that
We could spare – also a Company
of Volunteers Ammunition feild [field] pieces
&c – This Dispatch was received at
4 O’clock in the evening and at precisely
9 O’clock at Night the Steamer
Paivalla [?] left our wharf with
fifty Men & Muskets – two Cannons
and the required Amount of provisions
under Command of Capt H. C.
Hart – I suppose by to night there will
be from one to two thousand troops
concentrated there to receive the armies
of Mr Lincoln who are sent by
him to invade our Gulf Ports

[page 3]
I wrote that President Davis is still sending
Men and large Guns to Pensacola and
one would natureally Conclude that
a fight was inevitable at that point
very soon – but my impressions is
that some months will elaps[e] before
you have any fight – engagement from
the fact that I believe about half of
the men in Pickins will die out
this summer. Wishing you a
speedy and safe return –
I remain
Yours truly & Respectfully
W. H. Locke

MSS 13485

1861 May 22 Fort Palmetto

 Fort Palmetto
                                                         May 22, 1861
My Dear Wife
                             Your welcome letter came to
hand last evening and as you remarked
I had also hoped that the letter then written
would almost be the last that would be
sent until I would return home, yet
I believe the authorities do not themselves
know what is to be done.  There is no doubt
that Col. Rion did receive an order for
our relief, since that time he has received
an order countermanding the first.  I
have deferred my visit hoping that the
order would be carried out, yet I almost
despair.  If there is no prospect the latter
part of next week I expect Tom and I
will be home together.  My two weeks have
been necessarily extended.  First Macfie
was gone almost two weeks.  As soon as
he returned we were in high glee about
going home, the order having been issued.
Many rumors began, and in the meantime
Lieut. Trapp visited home and is now
absent.  I shall not however depend upon
uncertainities, but hope to see you the latter

part of next week.  I will however write to you
more particularly.
                             The calico shirt you need not
make as there is hardly a doubt but that we
will be relieved in the course of a month,
and if the war continues, we will be compelled
to go to Virginia.  I have long ago concluded
to be reconciled to my fate.  I would prefer
going [to] Virginia to remaining here, as I am afraid
from the appearance of things, that our Post will
be quite sickly, a number of the boys, having been
sent home with Typhoid fever.
                                                 The Steamer Niagara
has left our coast, and gone for more im-
portant service elsewhere.  Some Steamer name
not known is to supply her place.  I will
try and get some Palmetto in the natural
state about the time I purpose visiting
home.  I will also bring with me some Palmetto
cabbage, one of the nicest dishes to be had.
There is one thing I did not say.  I would
prefer remaining until two months expire that
I may bring some money home with me,
as at that time we draw our pay.
                                                 By the way
our Captain has gone to the city, to make
some arrangements, as he expects his wife
down Saturday.  As you frequently write me

saying that you [have] much to tell me you cannot write
I must say the same, there being numberless
incidents I would not commit to paper.
Tom McCants [?] and I get terribly blue some-
times owing to the negligence of our Captain.
It is truly the case that our Captain has
not drilled the Company in Infantry drill but
three times since we have been here.
                                                 This places
the other officers in a very unpleasant position
inasmuch as the men fail to be as attentive
and consequently will not be so proficient.
As it is quite late I must close
        Give much love to all
               I am Your affectionate
                         Husband
                                J M Phinney
P.S.
        Have you received the family
        Letter,
                      Write Soon
[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12661

1861 May 21 “Camp Henry” Culpeper C.H.

My dear Aunt Lucy,

Your kind and affec-
tionate note my dear Aunt Lucy came to
hand Some days since by the boy Sterling
and I have made several attempts to answer
it, but have invariably been called off on
duty before I had time to finish it, and this
must be my excuse, for seeming neglect,
in not replying to your highly prized note.
Papa went down to Richmond several days
ago, and since his absence, we have had a
comparatively easy time and I avail myself
of it to attend to all my correspondents–

We are beginning to get our military arrange-
ments somewhat organized at this point now,
and getting the regiments formed, and every
thing beginning to wear a military appearance.
The tented fields and battallions drilling
would prove to the Yankees that we were going

[page 2]
into this contest in real earnest, and to talk about
subjugating Southern peple animated with
such feelings as they are, is an absurdity. They may
whip us but they will never subjugate us, to the
yoke of a Black Republican President–

You will probably seen or heard of Papa’s
decadence in military rank, and on this
account he is in Richmond now. To go into the
details of the matter would tell you; but never
was a greater outrage perpetrated upon a
military man than upon him–Mamma
I hear is in Richmond, attending the Episcopal
Convention. She will pay us a visit I hope
if we are here during the Summer. We are
comfortably fixed Pa having rented a house,
and sent to Alexandria & furnished it in a
plain style for a soldier, & his staff officers
& himself occupy it & have their own meals
& everything in housekeeping style. I am for
the present acting “housekeeper”

I heard today much to my gratification
that Jack Braxton had gotten an

[page 3′
appointment from the Surgeon General &
I wish & hope very much we may be able
to get him on our line of operations–

What is Uncle Charles doing, in the way of
organizing his regiment? I shall be most
glad (I hope I need not assure you) to hear
from you whenever you find leisure to
write me. Tell Grandpa his letter to Papa
is at hand & I suppose will be answered
as soon as he returns from Richmond.

I shall write to hm in a few days.
Phil ought to be in the service; though I
have heard nothing of him since Miss
Jeane[?] Bolling’s marriage–This County is
represented by only one company at this place.

With much love to all at Bremo &
the other places, and with a large share
my dear Aunt for yourself.

I remain as ever yr. affect
nephew
John B. Cocke

John Bowdoin Cocke (1836-1889) was the son of Gen. Philip St. George Cocke (1809-1861, the nephew of Dr. Cary Charles Cocke (1814-1888) and the grandson of Gen. John Hartwell Cocke (1780-1866. Sterling was a Cocke family slave. See previous letters in this blog.
MSS 640

1861 May 21 [Richmond, Va.]

AN ACT
Relative to Prisoners of War.

SECTION 1. The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That all prisoners of war taken, whether on land or at sea, during the pending hostilities with the United States, shall be transferred by the captors, from time to time and as often as convenient, to the Department of War; and it shall be the duty of the Secretary of War, with the approval of the President, to issue such instructions to the Quartermaster General and his subordinates as shall provide for the safe custody and sustenance of prisoners of war; and the rations furnished prisoners of war shall be the same in quantity and quality as those furnished to enlisted men in the army of the Confederacy.

SEC. 2. That the eighth section of the act entitled “An act recognizing the existence of war between the United States and the Confederate States, and concerning Letters of Marque, Prizes and Prize Goods,” shall not be so construed as to authorize the holding as prisoners of war the officers or crew of any unarmed vessel, nor any passenger on such vessels, unless such passengers be persons employed in the public service of the enemy.

SEC. 3. That the tenth section of the above recited act shall not be so construed as to allow a bounty for prisoners captured on vessels of the enemy and brought into port, unless such prisoners were captured on board of an armed ship or vessel of the enemy of equal or superior force to that of the private armed vessel making the capture.

APPROVED May 21, 1861.

[stamped on verso]
RECORD DIVISION

REBEL ARCHIVES

WAR DEPARTMENT

McGREGOR A 1861 .C4C62 A26 May 21