DEAREST MARION:
I was surprised last night on
returning at a late hour from the committee room to find on my table a card
from Genl. King and Porter saying they would call around if I was not engaged.
On inquiry I found they were in bed, and consequently did not see them until
this morning. Callie did not come but Porter proposed to me just now to send
after her if I would send after you, to meet here on Monday next to witness the
inauguration which has been ordered to take place on that day at I o'clock P.
M. I told him of my despair and in fact of the impossibility of my getting a
messenger to you in time. Moreover, I knew you would see the telegraphic despatches
in the daily papers announcing the fact of the time appointed. I cannot say
that I hope to see you. My whole effort now is to get through my business here
as rapidly as possible and hasten to you. Believe me, my wife, I am sick at
heart with the daily manifestations of selfishness, intrigue, low cunning, and
meanness among those, who at this critical moment should have an eye single to
the protection of their people and the preservation of their government. Alas!
poor human nature, it is the same everywhere, God help us ! In Him alone is our
trust. The best friends of the Confederacy here are troubled at these continued
rumors of Presdt. Davis being a reconstructionist. Many are regretting already
his election. If he does not come out boldly in his inaugural against this
suicidal policy we shall have an explosion here, the end of which I cannot
foretell. He will be denounced by a large majority of this Congress who are
almost unanimous against such a proposition.
The most troublesome matters with us
arise from the Forts Sumter and Pickens. Whenever a policy is settled I will
write to you. The almost universal belief here is that we shall not have
war. The belief is almost as universal that at present we need not expect
the border states to come with us. It is believed here that the peace congress
will patch up some compromise which will keep them in the union. I wish I had
not come here Marion. I magnified myself and have unnecessarily turned aside
from my usual life, but enough of this. Mrs. George Reese came in her carriage
yesterday to carry me to examine the new boat. We were again so late that I had
but a glance at it. As I came off, I met a bridal party going on board. The
bride was a Miss Gilmer, the groom's name I did not hear. They had been married
about 15 minutes. Frank Gilmer and family were along, I did not speak to them.
I write to Cally by mail today and shall send this by express. Pardon a dull
letter, I have no news. The papers tell you what the Congress is doing. Love to
Ma and all the dear ones. Don't let Birdie forget me. Kiss my darlings and love
your husband. (Thomas Cobb, Letter to Gen. Marion, February 15, 1861, repr., Publications
of the Southern Historical Association 11, no. 3 [May 1907], 177-78, emphasis
in bold added)
Further
Reading: