Richmond July 24/64 My dear Friend. In my last letter to Mrs Cooper I informed her that my next letter would be addressed to yourself as due to you for your kind & friendly letters home & your generous hospitality bestowed on those so near & dear to me. But how can I sufficiently acknowledge your kindness, when like Hamlet "I am ever poor in thanks "But I thank you" My son left here some days ago with Mrs Capt Lee of the navy to make a visit to your neighborhood & I presume he must now be with you at Clifton. I promised him that I would try to make arrangements to make you a flying visit a few days after, but it seems a very difficult thing to [2] break off from this horrible routine. David in his Psalm says "one day telleth another & one night certifieth another." This is truly the case in respect to public business in these miserable offices - There is no let up day or night. I feel myself overworked and have been so for some time past. I had hoped until to day that I should be off this coming week but if what is now reported be true, that Grant has moved north of James River, it will not do for me to leave here under the expectation of an immediate attack by him on the city from this side. I shall however know more about this Tomorrow & will then be better able to determine my course. We have had some recent signal successes in [3] Georgia & if promptly followed up, which I have no doubt they will be, we may soon expect more. I inclose you a printed slip which will give you some of the particulars. The account is verified by telegrams from Genl Hood, who states that the enemy lost four of his generals killed, one of whom, McPherson, was the master-spirit of Shermans army. We lost one Genl, (Walker of Ga) killed, & three others wounded. Early is working his way down the valley, & will doubtless be here in time to take part in the movements against Grant on this side; if not I think Gl. Lee will able to take care of Grant. You will doubtless feel yourself somewhat relieved in your county by Grants retrograde [4] movement, & I trust we are now seeing the beginning of of the end of this unholy war, I say unholy as altogether applied to the unscrupulous Yanky nation. Our lands, thank God, are free from the iniquities practiced by that nation. I inclose you a couple of souveneurs which I hope may be acceptable to you They may not be very flattering but I trust they may be sufficient to enable you to recognise absent friends. Please remember me most affectionately to all your household & believe me very affectionately Yrs S. Cooper Mr. Mark Alexander Jr. Palmer Springs Mecklenburg Co Va.