Hd Qrs 32^d Mass Vols

Camp on Potomac Creek Va

Sunday Jany 18^th 1863

 

My dear Colonel

                        We have been under marching orders for several days & expected to have moved to day, but this morning the movement was postponed until tomorrow at one o'clock P.M.

 

            The orders indicate a fight. Camp will be broken, wagons packed, three days rations in haversack & three more in the wagons, 60 rounds of ammunition per man, no wagons however to go with us. It is understood that bridges will be ready above & below the city. The siege guns will open from the old places, & we shall try those works again.

 

            I think from private information that we will leave here about one P.M. tomorrow & move up the river five or six miles to pass the night, & cross & fight on Tuesday (our Grand Div.) Franklin will at the same time feign a crossing on the left & then join us / in the night, cross there & support us or act as circumstances at the time require. Sumner will remain where he is & pretend to attack the front.

 

            This story came very direct from Hd Qrs Left Grand Div. & I believe it, still it may not be entirely correct. At all events it is clear that we shall fight immediately & that the first fighting will be upon our own Grand Div. & that we shall go in alone.

 

            I must say that I look forward with much dread to the coming battle, or battles. no one is hopeful of the result. Our own regiment is likely to have a severe time & will very possibly not do as well as before.

 

            It will miss you very greatly & will miss Major Stephenson. We shall all try to do our whole duty of course & I think that if there is trouble it would be rather the force of circumstances than the fault of individuals.

 

            I feel terribly for my wife. she will be exceedingly anxious for many days & may have a great sorrow to look back upon for years.

 

            As I think of your wife now I regret that I did not resign when you did & save my family from such at least temporary suffering. You know / my ideas about the war are the same as yours & I am beginning to feel that I have no right to cause the suffering that I do at home without better reasons. If I can get away when we are quiet again I shall do so, & I trust we shall have many pleasant talks together again in our quiet homes before very long.

 

            Do not misinterpret me. I do not dread for myself the dangers of the field, but my wife's letters have lately made me realize what her sufferings are, & what they may be in the future. I understand your feelings perfectly in regard to the regiment & I expect to feel them very much myself when I leave it.

 

            All the officers have recovered from their attack of horror about that roll of honor & now I am sure that none but the pleasantest feelings exist toward you & that they all deeply regret your absence. Hurd is detailed, Bumpus will probably be acting Major tomorrow!—My kind regards to your wife. Hoping that we shall meet again soon I am affy yrs C. K. Cobb.

 

[endorsement]

Cha^s. K Cobb, January 18, 1863

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