1862 March 17 Williamsburg, Va.

Williamsburg March 17th 1862

My darling wifey

I feel very much disappointed that you
will not be in Williamsburg this evening, but disappoint-
ments are getting common with me--when I arrived
at fort Magruder from Bethel last thursday, I wrote
a note to Mrs. Dr. Coleman requesting her to obtain
accommodations for you here and also requesting her
to telegraph for you to come down two days after
the Dr. came to fort Magruder and informed
me that his wife had been unable to procure
suitable accommodations and therefore had not
telegraphed to you. I would have come to Wmsburg
and made the necessary arrangements myself
but Green Peyton who is in command is a squirt
and wouldn't allow any but the old guard to
visit Wmsburg-- to-day is the first time I have
been able to come to town and I am now
writing in Mrs. Colemans parlour. I have been
to see Mrs Saunders who met me with the exp-
ression that she was sorry you were not with
me and when I told her of my plans said
she would be glad to have you with her-I
have'nt seen Mrs Dr Coleman yet, but hope I
may be able to make some arrangement to have
you with me--It seems that I would'nt mind
anything if I could have you with me.

[page 2]
I would have written to you last week but I was
certain Mrs. Dr. Coleman would telegraph and it would
therefore be unnecessary to write--I know that you have
been disappointed several days at not receiving
a letter from me but I did what I thought
best--Lieut Peyton has been in command of the com-
-pany for about a week and if there was any-
-thing wanting to make me perfectly disgusted
with the service, it was having such a man
to rule over us. I hope I am a little patriotic
but I will never serve my country under such
a commander if I can help it--It is such
men who do more harm to our cause than
the enemy--Lieut Brown the only officer in the
party unless it may be Lieut Watson who has
been elected captain of one of the Howitzer
companies, is to be made Colonel of ordinance
and has been sent on special duty to Miss--
Capt Southall & Lieut Peyton must feel badly
not only because their colleagues outrank
them but also because there is not a man
in the company willing to reenlist under them
I have'nt the most remote idea how long we will
be here or where we will go when we leave
I certainly expect a letter from you this evening
and hope it will contain some good news.
Did I tell you that when at Fort Grafton, Major
Magruder sent for me [he being on a visit to the
officers] and told me that he had tried to get

[page 3]
me a place in his department but that the Genl had
refused to detail anymore from the cavalry or
artillery? I know half a dozen men detailed from
the artillery---The Major was very kind and told
me he would be happy to serve me in any
way that he could--I wonder if Charles Carrington
could give me a clerkship in his department?
The weather is so beautiful that it makes me more
anxious than usual to be with you. I would give
all my confederate pay to be with you two weeks.
I came across some violets at Mrs Saunders'
this morning and asked for some to send
you--I know you prize violets for their sweetness
and believe that you will prize these because I
sent them--I hate to stop I have so much to tell
you, but it would appear foolish on paper and
I must therefore wait until I see you. There is
one thing that I cant help telling you and
that is that you have the undivided love of
Your devoted husband.

Howe Peyton Cochran, Sgt., 1st Virginia Artillery

MSS 9380-a