Alfred Cobb hailed from Derby, Vermont, and enlisted on 9/18/1862 as a Private.  On 10/22/1862, he mustered into Company H of the 15^th Vermont Volunteer Infantry.  He was promoted to Corporal on 11/27/1862 and maintained the rank until mustering out on 8/5/1863 at Brattleboro, Vermont.

Alfred writes this letter to Theressa Cobb from “Camp at Manassas Junction” on June 14^th, 1863 – as Lee made his way north, eventually into Pennsylvania.  He mentions his company being detailed to guard the important railroad near Bristoe Station with 25 men of his company “out at night”.  He talks of recent events saying, “There was quite a fight at Kelly’s Ford last week, the Rebels started on a raid through here but Hooker sent an army Corp and met them at the river and they did not get across, our men drove them back seven miles to their main army, think Hooker watches them close, I do not think they will get out of Fredericksburg with a fight and he gets them to fight out of their entrenchments on even terms, he will give them a drubbing. They took 200 prisoners the other day in a cavalry and artillery fight.” He goes on to detail a friend, John, who was involved in the Stoneman Raid on Richmond.  While John was in the hospital, Alfred recovered a photo from his pocket that was taken near Richmond of some of the men involved in the raid. With a personal touch, Alfred talks of being “lonesome” and missing the fanfare of the 4^th of July at home.  He offers his love to Theressa several times and choses to be optimistic, never thinking he will be anything other than ‘safe and sound’.  The letter and cover were hand-carried to Theressa. The letter is written on embossed paper, folded vertically at center, and measures 8” x 5.9” (folded).  The cover/envelope measure 4.1” x 2.5”. He

The 15^th Vermont spent the campaign exhaustively screening Lee’s movements throughout Pennsylvania and Maryland, eventually being sent back to the area of the river crossings in a vain attempt to intercept and discourage a Confederate retreat into the south. Alfred got his wish for safety and mustered out in his home state over a month later.

A letter detailing the situation after Chancellorsville and the state of mind of a soldier in the field – a perfect piece for any Civil War ephemera collection.  [cm][ph:L]

Inquire About GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN LETTER – CORPORAL ALFRED COBB, 15th VERMONT

For inquiries, please email us at info@horsesoldier.com