Hd Qrs 32^d Mass Vols

January 5^th 1862

 

My dear Colonel

            Norton this morning received a Boston newspaper into which had a copy of that unfortunate roll of honor. Of course it was promptly circulated among those officers whose names were not mentioned, & the whole of this little world has been in an absurd ferment ever since. Norton Cunningham & Hurd are the recognized leaders of the "outs" & their spokesman speaker, Bumfries is by turns noisy & grieved! The devil is to pay generally. All the "outs" consider that they have been personally insulted by all the "ins" & charge them with asking you to mention their names & with getting your favor in various unsoldierly ways. One of them / even went so far as to say that Colonel Parker never wrote or saw that roll & that it was my work (particularly my own mention in it).

 

            Cunningham & Norton take it most to heart for both of them want to be Major. Bumfries fears to say very much. Hurd (having the most wit) will probably write on the subject for publication & make himself & all appear ridiculous. There is nothing else that is new here except that we are ordered to drill six hours each day by Colonel Barnes who is in command of the Division still. I trust that we shall not have Cunningham for Major. Edwards would make a pretty good one & would be acceptable enough. I do not know that my appointment would offend anyone except Bumfries & Cunningham but I do think it very probable that some better person can be found than either of us. Dana sends his love & says he means it. The Major / wishes to be affectionately remembered to you. My regards to Mrs Parker.

                                               

Very sincerely Yours

Cha^s K. Cobb

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