Fort Grafton
Friday night Feby 28th

My darling wifey

I received this evening
a letter from you and one from
Virginia–with regard to the subject
concerning which you both wrote, I
will say that I would be glad to
have a clerkship in the war de=
partment–I understand that away
from the seat of war, feeling is
running high against those volun=
teers who refuse to reenlist=I have
no regard for the opinion of those
who permit some to stay at home
all the time and wish to brand
others who may wish to return home.
I haven’t refused to reenlist and it
will be time to talk about this when
the occasion requires–If I feel it
my duty to reenlist I shall certainly
try before hand to get some better
position; I shall never reenlist in
this company under its present
organization and I dont believe
five in the company will–at any
rate, there are offices such as clerkships
to be filled and men as able as I
am will no doubt be appointed to
them and as active warfare is not
at all to my taste I see no reason
why I should’nt accept of a clerk-
ship, if I can get it. If they deter-
mine to give them to no man
fit for military duty, I am
agreeable.

[page 2]
I received a very polite note
from Mr Magruder to day, stating
that he was sorry to inform me
that the Genl had refused to detail
any member of our artillery or cavalry
company–so that my expectations
from that quarter are at an end/
What has become of the Randolph
Macon professorship? Has Robert
Massie ever received a letter exp-
laining the appointment? and what
was the explanation?
Lieut Brown is getting to be a great
man he has made by far more
reputation since the war than any
officer of the same grade in the
service I understand he is to be
made Major of Artillery–I hope
he wont leave the company for
he is the only popular officer we
have except perhaps Lieut Watson
Peyton is decidedly the most disa-
greeable officer and self conceited
martinet I ever saw–There is a
very fair chance of their being in
the “Melish” next year
I am opinion you failed to send me
a part of your last letter–you
stopped very suddenly without
saying your name or sending
me any particularly loving message
You can send the balance of it
in your next

[page 3]
You dont know my darling, how much I
love you–I miss you much more this
time than I did before my furlough
I dont know what I should do
were it not for the hope of
seeing you before long–and it is
singular how we can hope under
such disadvantageous circumstances.
Remember we to all at home
and be assured of the most
unlimited confidence and love
of your devoted
Husband

Howe Peyton Cochran, Sgt, 1st Virginia Artillery

MSS 9380-a