Friday, February 9, 2024

Thomas Cobb (February 15, 1861): The Almost Universal Belief of the Time is that there would be no U.S. Civil War

  

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)

 

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