Headquarters 1^st Reg'm't NYV

August 11^th 1862

 

Dear Father,

                        Your letter of the 9^th covering two receipts of Adams Express C'y. came to hand yesterday, or rather last night. There is in anticipation here a grand movement, a brilliant retrograde maneuvre, perhaps a masterly and final skedaddle. For two days the whole camp has been kept in a great suspense by orders to move, and orders to remain, orders to keep on hand cooked rations to march, and plenty of time given for such rations to spoil, rumours here, and confusion everywhere, in fact everything goes on, or off in quite a M^cClellan like manner. I momentarily expect the order to march, and the Reg'm't is prepared. We have cut up our wedge tents into shelter ones, and boiled "Old horse" for two days in advance. I sent in, after reflection, my order for Recruiting Detail, and if the Colonel, act'g Brig. chooses to alter it, he can do so. I consequently may possibly go to New York in a day or two, and probably will not go at all. If the prospect is for fighting here, I shall not go. 

 

The general opinion is that we (the Army) are to fall back on Yorktown, and then embark for the Potomac or Rappahannock. My next may consequently be dated from Yorktown. If the boys desire a commissions I could probably be of service to them, in some way or other. Give my Love to all at home, and believe me

                                                                                   

Your's Aff.

Fred.

 

I task you too much, in receiving letters from you so often; I know how busy you are, and remain, whenever you visit your office, and how little time you have to yourself. Do not inconvenience yourself, for however dear and welcome your letters are to me, I would rather go without them, than that you be troubled writing them in their composition

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