1861 June 14 Bremo Bluff [Fluvanna County, Virginia]

Genl. J.H. Cocke

Dear Sir

I send you the rates of Postage
as adopted by the Confederate Congress Feby 9th 1861
on single letters weighing 1/2 an Oz. under 500 miles 5cts
on single letters weighing over 1/2 an Oz under 500 miles 10cts
on single letters weighing 1/2 an Oz over 500 miles 10cts
on single letters weighing over 1/2 an Oz over 500 miles 15 cts
on all Pamphlets or Papers or Periodicals published in the Confederate states 2 cts each
the pamphlet not to weigh over 3 Oz if so 2 cts for every fraction of an Oz
on all periodicals, pamphlets & books as above
published beyond the limits of the Confederated states, double–postage
Books can be mailed @2 cents an Oz in the Confederate
states up as high as 4 pounds

Very Resp[ectfu]lly
Jno. N. Snead

John Hartwell Cocke, 1780-1866, was a noted reformer and member of various temperance, foreign mission, African colonization, Bible, tract, Sunday school and anti-tobacco societies. As such he would have been keenly interested in the cost of postage for pamphlets promoting his causes as well as corresponding with fellow reformers, almost all of whom lived in the northern states.

MSS 640

1861 June 14 Rand[olph] M[acon] College Virginia

Dear Sir,
The state of the Country renders
it, to a great extent, inexpedient, if not wholly imprac-
ticable, to secure the usual Commencement exercises on the
26th& 27th of this month; but the same cause makes
it, to a very great degree, indispensable that there should
be a full meeting of the Board of Trustees at that
time. I hope therefore that you will make it con-
venient to attend promptly on Tuesday the 25th at 9
o’clock A.M.

Respectfully,
Wm. A. Smith Pres

Dr. William Andrew Smith, 1802-1870,a Methodist minister, was elected president of Randolph Macon College in 1846. He was one of the state’s foremost defenders of the institution of slavery and in 1856 gave a series of popular lectures on “The Philosophy and Practice of Slavery as exhibited in the Institution of Domestic Slavery in the United Staes, with the Duties of Masters to Slaves.” In these lectures he sought to prove that slavery was grounded in scripture and destined to exist forever.

Randolph Macon College was temporarily suspended from February 1863 to 1866, and Smith himself served in the Confederate Army.

MSS 13101-b

1861 June 14 Carrs Hill [University of Virginia]

[from the autograph album of Randolph Harrison McKim]

My dear Ran,

I never could by word or
deed express the friendship for those I
really loved. I will not attempt it in
your case; but my parting with you
& the university awakens in me the deepest
regret. May the war in which we are
engaged be of short duration; and may
our many friends be especially protected
by a kind providence. Above all, Ran,
may the love of Christ constrain us
to do all that is good, and pleasing
in the eyes of our maker.

Most sincerely your friend
David R. Barton
Winchester, Virginia

David Rittenhouse Barton, 1827-1862, a Lieutenant in Cutshaw’s Company, (Jackson Artillery), Virginia Light Artillery, fell in the fight for Fredericksburg, December 1862.

Randolph Harrison McKim, 1842-1920,served on the staff of General George Hume Steuart and as a chaplain in the Virginia Cavalry. Postwar he was an Episcopal rector in churches in New York City, Washington, New Orleans, and several Virginia localities and wrote “A Soldier’s Recollections: Leaves from the Diary of a Young Confederate in which he confessed to being one of the students who raised the Confederate flag over the Rotunda.”
RG-30/17/1.064

1861 June 13 [Boston, Massachusetts]

Dear Charles [Eliot Norton]

No club tonight,
but next Thursday. I
want you to come &
dine tomorrow (1/2 past
2) with Thompson & O[liver].W[endell].
H[olmes].

Ever yours
J[ames].R[ussell].L[owell].

This brief note between two literary giants of the 19th century does not mention the war but both men were avid supporters of the Union cause as was Holmes. Charles Eliot Norton, 1827-1908, served as secretary of the Loyal Publication Society. James Russell Lowell, 1819-1891, used his poetical talents in the cause of abolition and in praise of Lincoln and the Union. Three of his nephews died in the war including General Charles Russell Lowell, Jr., killed at Cedar Creek in 1864. After the war both men were active in the “Dante Club,” helping Henry Wadsworth Longfellow translate Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy

MSS 6219

1861 June 13 Lexington [Virginia]

[Written in the University of Virginia Autograph Album of Randolph Harrison McKim]

“What then is our hope?”

My Dear Ran

It needs not words ill written
to prove the depth of a true friendship. We know
it each of the other–May it continue so.
I cannot this last night be prolix–that
the calling I go to now may not prevent us
from meeting hereafter as “Leaders in the
Grand Army” is the wish of
Yours very truly
Sandie Pendleton
Lexington,
Virginia

June 13th 1861
On the eve of a departure
for the deliverance of
Maryland

“What then is our hope?” is a line from St. Augustine. Or Pendleton may possibly have been misquoting or rearranging a verse from Job Chapter 17 “And where is now my hope?”

Alexander “Sandie” Pendleton, 1840-1864, was a member of Stonewall Jackson’s staff, and after Jackson’s death in 1863, served on the staffs of Richard Ewell and Jubal Early. He was mortally wounded in the battle of Fishers Hill, September 1864.

His fellow University of Virginia classmate Randolph Harrison McKim, 1842-1920,served on the staff of General George Hume Steuart and as a chaplain in the Virginia Cavalry. Postwar he was an Episcopal rector in churches in New York City, Washington, New Orleans, and several Virginia localities and wrote “A Soldier’s Recollections: Leaves from the Diary of a Young Confederate in which he confessed to being one of the students who raised the Confederate flag over the Rotunda.”

RG-30/17/1.064

1861 June 12 Madison C. Ho. [Virginia]

Dear Blakey

Will you do me the
favor to Examine the Gun Establishm
ents of Richmond and see if you can
get a Kentucky or Mississippi Rifle
and the price [one?] to carry about 40
or 50″ to the pound, and see what you
can get a pr of minie molds to
suit the Rifle for. please do so
tomorrow evening if you possibly can
I understand they are plentiful and
can be bot cheap.

ask some of your
platers what they will plate the
handle of a sword for. it is one
of Dick Dawsons make.

If those Rifles can be had cheap
I can sell quit[e] a number of them

if you can find one of that exact
bore. Specify the size if you can get.

Very Respectfully yours
R. A. Jackson

[the identities of Blakey and Jackson are unknown)

MSS 10911

1861 June 12 Culp. C H.

Head Quarters Camp Henry

Order No–

His Excellency
Jefferson Davis President
of the Confederate States
having by his proclamation
to the People of these States
in conformity with the request
of the Confederate Congress
“invited the prople to the obser-
vance of a day of fasting
and prayer–by such religious
services as may be suitable
for the occasion” and having fixed the 13th day
of June (tomorrow) for that purpose–
and it being especially incumbent and
obligatory upon the officers & soldiers of the
Confederate army to respond in the spirit of
the proclamation by the proper religious obser=
vance of the day indicated by the President
It is therefore ordered that the drill will
be suspended at this post tomorrow–Guard
mounting & dress parade will proceed as usual-
the troops will attend Divine Serivce at
11 0’clock at such churches as may be open
for service. They will be marched by Com=
panies by the inspection Captains or Senior

[page 2]
Lieutenants (in case the Capt may be on other duty)
to and from the various places of worship–
Officers & men will be in uniform with side
arms only–

A majority of the men & officers of each Company
may by vote to be taken immediately after morning
roll call tomorrow-under direction of the Camp
officer of each Company- decide a majority con
curring, to what church the Company will go
in order to attend upon Divine Service–
Should no election be thus held the Captain may
elect for his company & will march it to &
from accordingly–

Any officer or non-commissioned or private
not on other special duty for the day or otherwise
caused or prevented from complying with this
order which requires all do it officers–non
commissioned officers & privates at this Post
to attend upon Divine Service tomorrow
at 11 o’clock in one or other of the churches
in the Village–will be reported to the Commanding
officers–and any disregard or violation of this
order will be deemed a high military offence
and will be dealt with accordingly–

If ever in the history of the world it were incu
mbent upon men to acknowledge their dependence upon
God! to invoke his aid & his blessing in a righteous
cause–It is so incumbent upon us–Let us
humble ourselves therefore before God–acknowledge

[page 3]
oue sins and unworthiness in his Holy presence
Invoke his pardon & favour–And especially
let us pray that he will strengthen our hearts
and nerve our arms in the defence of our
liberties–of our homes & of our country, against
the diabolical purposes of our enemy–
and enable us to carry defeat–dismay &
utter destruction into his ranks wherever
he shall encounter him–
By order of Col Cocke
Comg
Jno M Otey Jr
Lieut. Post Adjt

MSS 640

1861 June 12 Manassas Junction [Virginia]

Head Quarters, Dept, of Alexa

General Orders
No 10.

I. The attention of commanding
officers of Posts and Regiments, is called to
the regulations of the Army concerning ambu-
lances or spring wagons; and it is expressly
enjoined that these vehicles shall not be used
except for their legitimate purposes–to wit–the
transportation of the sick, disabled, and woun-
ded men of the army.

II. For the present, ambulances or Spring wagons
and their teams furnished to Regiments, will be
under the immediate direction of the Regimental
Quarter Master, who will keep them in condition
to meet promptly the requisitions of the proper
medical officers.

III. Until otherwise ordered, all permits granted
to citizens to pass into Camp Pickens, or within
the chain of Regimental, main or picket guards,

[page 2]
shall be issued from the office of the com-
manding officer of the Post; and no application
for such papers or permits, hereafter, will be made
to these Head Quarters.

IV. All persons in the military Servie, except
of the Staff of the General Commanding, or from
an outpost, and having dispatches for or business
with the Head Quarters, must apply to the
commanding officer of Camp Pickens for
permits to enter and visit withn the chain of
sentinels of the main or several camps, or
police guards thereof.–
(By order of Brig. Genl. Beauregard,
Thomas Jordan
a.A.Adgt. Genl.)

MSS 640

1861 June 12 Belmead [Fluvanna County, Va.]

My dear Husband

Your letter of the
9th inst by Abner Harris was sent to
me promptly on Monday afternoon
by Thomas Royall who has also become
inspired with the Military zeal of all
our young men broken up his
school & has joined one of the companies
that is to form Wise’s Brigade & left
here again last evening to see father
about the arrangements & movements
of the company to be commanded by
Capt Wm A. Cocke of Winchester.
I am glad you received my last
letter so promptly & that It gave satis-
faction as it is very little I can do that
pleases every one now a days. But I have
ever desired & exerted myself to
discharge my duties faithfully in life
in all the relations & some very

[page 2]
responsible ones have been assigned
me by Proficence. And if my dear
Husband there have been times
when my waywardness & willfulness
has tried our generous & noble
nature I hope it will never be the
case again. And should your value
able & useful life b spared through
the perils of this momentous crisis
in the History of our Country & you
be permitted again to reutrn with
your head covered with Laurels as
I am sure it will be to the walks
of private life you will see then
how entirely & unreservedly I am
devoted to you & the remnent of my
life spent in soothing & comforting
your declining years. We never
sufficiently appreciate blessings
until deprived of them. I feel this
but too keenly in regard to yourself
& know now but too sensibly for my
present peace & enjoyment

[page 3]
how entirely dependent we all are
on you for happiness & direction.
Therefore hasten back to the bosom of
your family who are waiting with
open arms to receive you as soon
as you can do so consistent with
your duties as a Patriot & Soldier.
But if your presence & influence can
acheive any good to our soldiers
or people do not think of Home
but devote your energies heart &
sole [sic] to the glorious work before you.
And my prayer to God is that you
will be more than conquerors if
your trust is ina mightier Arm
than that of Flesh to lead you on.
We were greatly cheered by Johns visit
short as it was & the girls particularly
were charmed to be with Brother again.
Sally B. tho’ is delicate greatly debilitated
every warm day. Dr. Bryant has sent
her some tonic & iron pills he urges her
to take them & plenty of exercise in the
open air when the weather is not too
oppressive. I think she greatly injures

[page 4]
herself staying upstairs in heated
rooms too much. Your Father returned
Home on Saturday with Cousin
Judy he was I think revived by his
trip here & to Rec[ess] & I never saw him
half so agreeable a communicator
of his feelings to his own family.
His being at last weaned from the
Yankees & his eyes being opened to
their faults as well as ours is exerci
sing a salutary effect upon him
socially he is deeply interested in the
progress of War Movements & one of
the warmest secessionists. Mr Wm. Hemser
says that he the Genl. is right at last
And that last Sabbath week in the afternon
he Mr. H. being with the Genl. in Ri[chmond]
that instead of gong to church as
he started to do both called on the
Governor & the Genl. strongly urged
upon him to have buck shots put
in some muskets for sharp shooters
to render them more effective against
The Yankees. We hear of skirmishes
& reconoitres of a small order in every
direction but when is the battle of
Inkerman in Sebastopol to come off.

[cross written on page 1]
We hear Epsy is still in Jail in R[ichmond] had you not
better have him taken out & sent ot Brunswick.
Aunt Mary wrote me E. is in great trouble and
distress but Mary & Tom Upshur say he
persists in visiting Mary and she to encourage him
has [?] & good for nothing no employment
& no reputation & will not now even enlist in the
service of his country. E[psy] is anxious to be out & go
to Carolina. Mary will not agree to it. All goes
to confirm what I said in my last that they ought
not to live in Norfolk. He believes if sent elsewhere in
July for his Home. You had better write to E. about it
yourself. Aut Mary says she is looking wretchedly &
that she is in trouble & needs advice & direction She
respects yr opinions & I know it would come bbetter from you

[left margin of page 2]
than any one else She is preparing a visit to me
in Richmond tomorrow nght perhpas.

[top margin of page 1]
God bless & protect you believe me as
ever yr loving
& devoted but anxious
wife.

1861 June 11 Richmond [Virginia]

Ex. Department

Col:

I am directed by the Governor to say to you
that some weeks ago you were commissioned Lieut
Col. of Active Volunteers, and uponenquiry at
Genl Lee’s Head quarters it was discovered that your
commission had not been forwarded to you, your
address not being known by adjt. genl Garnett.

When your resignation as Col of 12th Reg V[irginia] M[ilitia] was
accepted to allow you to accept the captaincy of a volun
teer company, it was not known or recollected by the
writer that your nomination had been ratified.

I beg leave to suggest thay you report, by
letter at least, to Gen Lee I am very respy
Yr obt Servt
S. Bassett French
ADC to Gov of Va
col C C Cocke
Bremo
Fluvanna [County, Virginia]