“… said he’d been in a great many fights

but never saw so many Kiled and wounded in so short a time…”

[CONFEDERATE LETTER] Autograph Letter Signed. Richmond Va. June 3^rd 1864. 1 1/3 pp. 8 x 14”. An extraordinary letter from the heart of Richmond the day of the brutal slaughter at Cold Harbor from confederate soldier Cofer. Accompanied by the original postal marked and confederate stamped envelope “type 6.”

The Battle of Cold Harbor is remembered as one of American history's bloodiest, most lopsided battles. In less than an hour, approx. 7,000 Union soldiers were slaughtered in a hopeless frontal assault against the fortified troops of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Pinned down by a tremendous volume of Confederate infantry and artillery fire, Grant's men could neither advance nor retreat. With cups, plates, and bayonets, they dug makeshift trenches. Grant would later say this was one his biggest mistakes. A husband writes to his wife from inside the lines at Richmond (with all spelling errors):

“Dear Mag Thinking you would like to hear from me as often as possible at times like this I take this opportunity to write you lines hoping this may find you all well. I am well and still at work but on yesterday most of the Batalions (sic) of the City was ordered out. and some one or two companies from ours went out but none from our shop as

we are very busy at this time but cant say but what /

 

we may be ordered out at any time but I think we will not be unless there is great danger of the Yankees getting to Richmond. and in that event they would callout all who could raise a gun to shoot but I am in hope that we will not be so hard put as that as it seems from all accounts that we gain a victory at almost every Battle. But I expect we must loose a great many men.

 

it has to be expected that a great Battle would come oft for the last two or three days and in fact there has been quite heavy skirmishing for two or three days and last evening I thought they had comince the Big fight as there was heavy firing and this morning as soon as it was light they comence again. We could hear cannon and small arms very plain in the City /Could not be over five or six miles oft. and it is reported in the shop, I have not been out since morning, that we drove them back with great slauter. the Gentleman that brought the news said he d been in a great many fights but never saw so many Kiled and wounded in so short a time.

 

I will write you a gin in a few days also give you all the news. I think there must be a great deal of heavy fighting around here yet from the quantity of soldiers that are pasing going to join Lee. I have sent you some hopes and will continue to do so as long as they keep up fighting / proble you came see something in them if inintrust as most of the kild and wounded you will find the nothing more at present I have not received any letter since I wrote to you but am expecting one soon.

My love to all. I Remain your Husband, T.B. Cofer.”