Head Qrs 2^nd Div 23^rd A.C.

Wilmington N.C. March 4^th 1865

 

Night has come again dear wife and I am writing to you without being able to say that I have received a letter from you. We leave here day after tomorrow and if a letter does not arrive before our march I may not hear from you for a week or more. I will hope for the best. All the accounts which we get from the rebels are very encouraging and we hope to make our march and effect a junction with Genl Cox without much opposition. We hear rumors of the evacuation of Petersburg but are completely in the dark as to the real facts. Neither do we know exactly when / Genl Sherman but we believe he is marching on triumphantly and before long will form a junction with us somewhere near Goldsboro. I have never witnessed before such a universal feeling of confidence in our complete success among all the officers of every grade, and the same feeling pervades the ranks. The effect of this will be to give to all greater courage, and must prove one of the elements of our success. We march from here with light baggage and short rations, that is the men must fill their haversacks, which will not hold over three days rations, and make them last five. Perhaps we may be able to forage from the country so as to supply the deficiencies, but it / is not certain and we must take the chance. We march from this depot until we strike a line of supplies by rail or otherwise on the road from Newbern to Goldsboro. The weather is warm and it rains every few hours so that our march will probably not be a very agreeable one, but we hope to accomplish a portion of the good work in putting down this rebellion, and therefore we start out with bright hopes and light hearts, regardless of what may be the hardships of the campaign. When we make the junction with the rest of our corps I presume a permanent arrangement will be made in regard to our different commands. I expect to retain / the command of this division and shall be much disappointed if it should turn out otherwise. I think Genl Couch would also feel the same way in regard to himself if he should be sent back to a division. I do not clearly understand the reasons why Genl Schofield retains command of the Corps & also of the department & the other corps. It seems very selfish but his [?] may be good, and I will wait a little while before I judge him. I have received a complimentary letter from Genl Burnside which perhaps I may send you to keep for me as I would not like to have it lost. Love to Lindy and the children with loving good night kisses to darling wife.                     M^cLean

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