This letter written by Charles S. McCobb, a 24-year-old resident of Boothbay, Maine, gives a great description of the Union operations around the Yorktown, Virginia in April of 1862.  At the time he was serving as a hospital steward. 

MCCOBB WOULD BE KILLED ON 7/2/63 AT

THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG!!

The 4th Maine was a tremendously hard-fought regiment and for the Maine collector this letter is a gem!  It is 4 pages written in ink with the usual stains, discolorations, and lots of character!!

·         “Our Division Hamilton’s arrived here last Saturday evening & I suppose all the divisions that
started from Hampton the 4th took their positions in this vicinity at that time.  There was a little
skirmishing on the advance as you have probably seen – a few killed and wounded.  In our brigade
one slightly wounded.” 

·         “… every day a few shells are fired.  Last Sunday one of our Reg. named Snowdeal was killed while
off viewing the rebel batteries.”

·         “Wednesday afternoon we recd. orders to change our position and while it was raining we marched…
We passed directly by the rebel batteries within short shelling distance but they did not fire.  The
reason I know not.  Anyhow, we all expected they would open on us.  They could be seen in groups
around their works looking at us.” 

·         “The next morning I went back the same route on the Dr.’s horse but while I was in our first
encampment we opened on those who were passing & re-passing.  I was advised to return by a
different route, but did not & after 3 or 4 hours absence returned again to camp.”

·          “That afternoon the rebels made a reconnaissance in force driving in our pickets but some of the
brigades came up & drove them back, some were killed & wounded on both sides.  How many I know
not probably we had some 10 or 12 killed & wounded.”

·         “I have the following plan of the coming battle through a Brigade General Col. & Lieut. Jno. McClellan… 
We are to wait till siege guns are placed in the neighborhood of the 5, 5, 5’s on the plan and monitor guns. 
The vicinity of the 6’s with these the enemy’s river guns will be silenced by shells thrown at their rear. 
The gun boat will ascend the river and shell the land defense in the rear in the same way.  This is called
enfilade after this is accomplished, light artillery, infantry & cavalry will pour in upon them near the
river and ----- I understand that the original plan was for McDowall to cross the Rappahannock march
down & occupy Gloucester Point, but he has been taken from Mc’s command.  And he has got to do the
work without his aid.”

·         “The woods to the right & left of us for miles are lined with our troops & they are daily cannonading at
ship point.  We shall have enough I reckon we have 100,000…”

A nice 4th Maine letter from a soon to be K.I.A. at Gettysburg soldier!

#L206 - Price $250



                                Transcription:
                                                                                                                                                    Near Yorktown 
                                                                                                                                                     Apr. 13th, 1862

Dear Uncle,

         I suppose you can see in the papers a better account of the proceedings
here then I can give you, but I will give you the result of my observations
hoping there will be a little that is new.  Our Division Hamilton’s arrived here
last Saturday evening & I suppose all the divisions that started from Hampton
the 4th took their positions in this vicinity at that time.  There was a little
skirmishing on the advance as you have probably seen – a few killed and
wounded.  In our brigade one slightly wounded.  Since then it has been very
quiet, though every day a few shells are fired.  Last Sunday one of our Reg.
named Snowdeal was killed while off viewing the rebel batteries.  Monday
night, Tuesday & Wednesday was stormy, cold and very uncomfortable in
camp.  Wednesday afternoon we recd. orders to change our position and
while it was raining we marched along the line shown by the arrows on
the enclosed plan.  We passed directly by the rebel batteries within short
shelling distance but they did not fire.  The reason I know not.  Anyhow, we
all expected they would open on us.  They could be seen in groups around their
works looking at us.  That night it cleared off and we passed the night very
comfortably in our tents (made of rubber blankets).  The next morning I went
back the same route on the Dr.’s horse but while I was in our first encampment
we opened on those who were passing & re-passing.  I was advised to return by
a different route, but did not & after 3 or 4 hours absence returned again to
camp.  We remained here till Friday and returned to our present encampment
as (per plan).  That afternoon the rebels made a reconnaissance in force driving
in our pickets but some of the brigades came up & drove them back, some were
killed & wounded on both sides.  How many I know not probably we had some
10 or 12 killed & wounded.  Since then there has been but little cannonading. 
The enclosed plan will give an idea of their position and ours.  Of course it is
not very correct as I have drawn it from what I have seen and heard. 

            I have the following plan of the coming battle through a Brigade General
Col. & Lieut. Jno. McClellan.  It may be all incorrect.  We are to wait till siege
guns are placed in the neighborhood of the 5, 5, 5’s on the plan and monitor guns. 
The vicinity of the 6’s with these the enemy’s river guns will be silenced by shells
thrown at their rear.  The gun boat will ascend the river and shell the land
defense in the rear in the same way.  This is called enfilade after this is
accomplished, light artillery, infantry & cavalry will pour in upon them near
the river and ----- I understand that the original plan was for McDowall to cross
the Rappahannock march down & occupy Gloucester Point, but he has been
taken from Mc’s command.  And he has got to do the work without his aid.  The
woods to the right & left of us for miles are lined with our troops & they are
daily cannonading at ship point.  We shall have enough I reckon we have 100,000
but have no means of finding out as I cannot learn the no. of divisions.  In the
account of the coming battle look for the part played by Hamilton Division and
you will see what we have to do.  Birney is our Brig Gen., Walker our Col - all
are in good spirits.   The Boothbay boys are all well & I hope we will be during
the next 2 weeks.

                        Regards to all – will write as soon as possible after the fight.

                                                                            From your nephew,

                                                                                                C. S. McCobb

Jno M. Fisher Esq.

Boothbay, Maine

                                [Written in pencil:]

                                Charles Sullivan McCobb Co E. 4th Me. Regt. Killed at Gettysburg July 4, 1863