My dear General
Allow an old friend of
your self and yours to introduce to you
kindly regards John H. Mc Cue Esq formerly
of Staunton but now of Nelson County –
Mr. Mc Cue is a gentleman of very
high character, of sterling integrity, & of unflinching
firmness and courage: and is ardently anxious
to serve his native State in some military
post – He has not had a military education
; being a lawyer by profession; but I am sure
animated by the fearless spirit of a true Virginian
, he would discharge his duties with discretion
and with intrepid valour. I know not whether
any post at your disposal would be suitable for
him: I write this letter chiefly, that he may be
enabled to refer to you in case of need: and I can
assure you that you may endorse him as a
gentleman, a man of honor and intellect, and of
fine chivalric courage –
None rejoice more than myself that Virginia’s
honor and safety are, in a great measure, con-
fided to your keeping: May God guide and

[page 2]
protect you and enable you to achieve victory and
peace! Your friend
Hugh W. Sheffey

Major Gen R. E. Lee

MSS 4406

Dear Sir–Should you wish to com-
municate with me in regard to
Telegraph matters, please address me
at Petersburg Va.

Any service I can render you
[and?] the State in superintending lines,
supplying offices with operators &c
[wi]ll be done with the greatest pleasure

Very respectfully

J.T. Coldwell, Supt
Sec of W&N.O. Tel.

To Genl Cocke
Present

[in top margin]
offers to supply operators &c in connection
with Telegraph offices &c

MSS 640

Special Orders
No 1

Lieutenant Colonel Samuel
Jones , Virginia Volunteers, is assigned to
duty as Asst. Adjutant General.

He will repair without delay to
Alexandria, and report for duty to Major
General Philip St Geo. Cock.

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

MSS 640

Col. Cary C. Cocke
Exchange Hotel

Dear Sir:

I am directed
by the Governor to acknowledge the rect of your
favor of the 24th Inst. and to assure you of
his high appreciation of your generous offer
to the State.

The offices to which you refer have not
been vacated by the Convention.

It will afford His Excellency pleasure
to serve you—-

I am most Resptly
Your obdt Servt
R H Catlett
(Military Secretary
to the Governor

MSS 640

To the Hon John Letcher
Governor of Virginia

Sir–I take the first moment
of my arrival in the city to tender to you
my services in defence of Virginia; and
now that the time is upon us when all her
true people should rally to protect her
soil against the polluting footprints
of the userpers I beg leave to offer
thro her Executive the use of my
whole private property whenever it
is needed in the second great
battle which it appears must be
fought to secure the rights &
liberties of her people- and I ask
to be placed in some position of ser-
vice where I may do what I can

[page 2]
to aid in securing her defences.

I learn today the commissions
of the militia offices are to be
vacated upon ordinance–and if
the commission I hold shall
thus be recalled, I ask authority
thro your excellency’s influence
to raise ^’enlist’ without delay a regiment
to go into the service of Virginia
and a commission from the
[?] department that shall
give strength & force to the
object–

very respectfuly

[unsigned draft; in the hand of Charles Cary Cocke]

MSS 640

[Written across the top of the cover page of a copy owned by Philip St. George Cocke:
See that all the troops vote
J.R. Tucker]

BY THE GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA

A PROCLAMATION

The convention of the commonwealth of Virginia having
adopted, on the 17th day of April 1861, an ordinance “to
repeal the ratification of the constitution of the United
States of America, by the state of Virginia, and to resume
all the rights and powers granted under said constitution,”
and by the schedule thereto annexed, required polls to be
opened for the ratification or rejection of the same by the
people of this state, on the fourth Thursday in May next:

Now, therefore, I, JOHN LETCHER, governor of the com-
monwealth of Virginia, do hereby proclaim, that the annexed
is an authentic copy of the said ordinance and schedule, and
that all officers designated therein are required to conform to
its provisions in every respect.

Given under my hand as governor, and under the seal
of the commonwealth at Richmond, this 24th day
of April 1861, and in the 85th year of the com-
monwealth.

JOHN LETCHER

AN ORDINANCE

To Repeal the Ratification of the Constitution of the
United States of America, by the State of Virginia,
and to Resume all the Rights and Powers granted
under said Constitution.
____________________________________________________

The people of Virginia, in their ratification of the consti-
tution of the United States of America adopted by them in
convention, on the twenty-fifth day of June, in the year
of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-eight,
having declared that the powers granted under the said con-
stitution, were derived from the people of the United States,
and might be resumed whensoever the same should be per-
verted to their injury and oppression; and the federal govern-
ment having perverted said powers not only to the injury of
the people of Virginia, but to the oppression of the southern
slaveholding states:

Now, therefore, we, the people of Virginia, do declare and
ordain that the ordinance adopted by the people of this state
in convention, on the twenty-fifth day of June, in the year
of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-eight
whereby the constitution of the United States of America
was ratified; and all acts of the general assembly of this
state ratifying or adopting amendments to said constitution,
are hereby repealed and abrogated; that the union between
the state of Virginia and the other states under the constitu-
tion aforesaid, is hereby dissolved, and that the state of Vir-
ginia is in the full possession and excercise of all the rights of
sovereignty which belong and appertain to a free and inde-
pendent state. And they do further declare that said consti-
tution of the United States of America is no longer binding
on any of the citizens of this state.

This ordinance shall take effect and be an act of this day,
when ratified by a majority of the votes of the people of this
state, cast at a poll to be taken thereon, on the fourth Thurs-
day in May next, in pursuance of a schedule hereafter to be
enacted.

Done in convention in the city of Richmond, on the seven-
teenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thou-
sand eight hundred and sixty-one, and in the eighty-fifth
year of the commonwealth of Virginia.

A true copy.
Jno. L. Eubank,
Secretary of Con’n.

E440.5 .V5 1861; duplicate in MSS 640

Dear Father

The excitement
in this county on account of
the state of public affairs is
so great that every thing
like a business has come to a
stand almost. I have dis-
missed my school, and joined
the Richardson Guards who
are now drilling every day
at the Madison C. H. and every
day expecting an order from
the governor to march.

No one abhors war more than
I do but when our rights
are in danger I think it
is the duty of every young

[page 2]
man especially to take up arms
in defense of his country.
I have no other news to write
as this is almost the only
thing that is talked of now
I will leave my trunk at
Capt. Wm Thomas’. His wife will
take care of the key. So if
I should be among those
whose lot it may be fall
in defence of my country
you may know where to get
my papers. I have paid all
my debts except a balance
of 10 or 12 dollars which I
owe cousin Frank, and a
bond of about five dollars
held by Finks & [Kelso?] in this
neighborhood. Let your prayers
daily ascend to God that I
may be preserved against

[page 3]
those vices so common among
soldiers, that I may hold on
to my Christian integrity. For
I feel my weakness and need
of help from him who has
promised to help all who
may call upon him with a
pure heart. Give my love
to all inquiring friends
and to the children

Your Son
James H. Watson

Watson, a 1st Sgt., Co. A, 7th Regt. Virginia Infantry was killed September 14, 1862 in an engagement at South Mountain

MSS 7130-a

My dear Sir:

This letter will be handed to you
[[by?] Mr Harris, and I desire that you will re
[port?] to me, the true state of things, in the
[loc]ality of your command. Let me know
[w]hat is the state of feeling amongst the
[pe]ople–what number of troops you have
[an]d the number of efficient and reliable
[m]en–what is doing towards the fortifi-
[ca]tion at the White House–whether any
thing has been done in the way of observa
tion on our side of the Potomac, by our en
emies. I desire full information on all
matters of interest. Send me a report
by Mr Harris.

The President of the Road will pass
Mr Harris on the road, and permit
his return to this city

I am truly
yr friend
John Letcher
P. St. Geo. Cocke
Brig General
Alexandria

[This letter previously pasted in a scrapbook. Left margin partially ripped off when removed.]

MSS 640

                         
                             Harpers Ferry April 22nd.
          Dear Lute,
                   I’m again seated in
my quarters at Harpers Ferry, rather unexpectedly.
I did not get expect to get from the Mayraland
Heights as soon as this.  I got back this morning
about eleven oclock, did n’t get breakfast
until twelve, and of course had a very good
appetite for it when I did get it.  after such a
long & tedious Jou[r]ney.  We all had a very rough
time of it on the mountain, as the walking was
so dre^’a’dfully bad, & we had to keep guard all
night, each man had to stand two hours.  I had
to stand from ten to twelve.  We also had to sleep
on the ground, with our muskets in our arms.
I had a very good nights rest, made a first rate
bed out of leaves, a stump for my pillow, &
a blanket to cover with, some of the Boys could
not sleep well on such beds, but I went to sleep
a nearly directly my head touched the pillow,
& dreamed all night long about you all at Home.
I know you would have laughed af if you had
seen me a little while ago, washing my shirt, colars
& hankerchiefs, it was something I neve[r] did before.
I do n’t know how clean they are, as they are not

[page 2]
dry yet, but I think they are washed very well
for me.  Tell Mattie, I wished she would come up &
do my washing for me, as she is so fond of it.
I never eat a meal, but what I wonder, what you
all would say if you could see what I was eating.
I think every thing is very good, but the “old beef”. I
can’t think that is good to safe [save] my life, it is so tough.
I’ve complained often at home, of the coffee, but
do n’t think I’ll every complain of it again, for after
drinking such stuff, as we drink here, I can drink
anything.  I reckon Sister would as soon, think of
drinking slop water, as our coffee.  Some of our men
found a middling of meat on the mountain, which
was quite a treat to us, we cooked right on the spot.
I bought a “five cent” apple puff this morning, which
I enjoyed very much, as it was the first thing
of the sort I’ve had since I left Home.
When I left Home, I thought I was going to have a
a very nice pleasure trip, did n’t expect to stay more
than  than two or three days, well of course, I was some
what disappointed, but now I’ve made up my mind
Just to stay here six months if it is necessary,
for it will be better for me to be satisfied, because
I ca n’t go away, as long as I’m wanted here.
I’ve no idea when I’ll be home, as It is nescessary
to have this place well fortified yet a while.
We don’t think there is any danger of a fight
here now.  Seven hundred more men are expected
this evening from Rockingham.

[page 3]
   I’m very much afraid you will not get this,
you will not if it goes by Washington as all of
our mail is stopped there, but you may get it
if it goes by Winchester.
   Several of men are complaining with colds.  Joe
has a cold, though it is better to day.  I think I’ve
been very lucky since I left home, as I’ve been very
well since I left.  I heard Joe say this morning, that
he had rather be in the store than here.  Joe got a
letter from Albin this morning, from Gordonsville,
dated the nineteenth.  This is the third letter I’ve written
& have received one.  I’m afraid you can’t read this,
for it is written so ba[d]ly, & I can’t get a pen or ink.
I believe Mr. Lane has written to Pa for some things
for the men, tell him to put in a shirt & two or three colars
for me, that is all I need.
   You all must not be uneasy about, as there is
no danger now, I know a camp is the most
corrupt & demoralizing place on earth, but I will
try & overcome all temptation, & take Ma’s advice.
Tell Cousine Julia Mr. A[?] is very well.  Tell Sister

Page & Bro. Jones & all of them at Home to write to
me.  Joe & Mr Br sends their love.  My best love to
all at Home, & all my friends.  Write very soon
                         to yr most dvoted Bro.
                                               Edloe Jones
                                             Harpers Ferry
Via Winchester –                        Cap. Murray
                                  40th Regiment   Louisa Blues

MSS 13407

From the journal of the Chairman of the Faculty

The ordinance of Secession passed by the
Virginia Convention having been made public,
the Chairman, apprehensive that the students
gone to Harper’s Ferry, might, in the excitement
of the times, volunteer for or be ordered to
some new service, to the abandonment of
their proper duties here and to the dissatis-
faction of their parents, repaired to Richmond
to make application to the Governor to
order their return to the University- The ap-
plication was made in writing on the 23d
and promptly granted- The Chairman re-
turned to the University on the 24th, and on
the evening of the same day, the Volunteer
Companies of students returned in anticipation
of the order of the Governor.