Hilton Head June 27^th

 

Dear Major.

                        I have received yours of the 25^th and have carefully considered that part of the contents relating to my resignation. I know Major that you are my friend and give me such advice as your judgment dictates and you know that I have always deferred to you if we differed, which we seldom have done, but I can not in this case. I feel that I have been wronged say nothing about the insult part of it, that my officers will take [?] of it that my usefulness as commandant of the Regiment is in a measure gone. that I never can feel hereafter my footing sure. that I shall only be nominally hereafter commandant of the Regiment that I shall be constantly in hot water with them, that they will do as they please feeling that the Governor is on their side. Besides after my letter to the Governor he will certainly make every effort to remove me and would you have me disgraced in that way, certainly you would not. You may say he cannot legally—no matter whether it is legal or not. / what recourse have I. I appreciate General Williams suggestion but he did not know the [?] with him nothing now but my sure disgrace will satisfy him now you know he is a man whose motto is the ends justify the means. therefore I beg you to press my resignation. allow me like a well bred dog when he sees preparation to kick him out, to retire. I shall only be a locum tenens in the way of some better man and losing my interest as I have I shall to greater extent stale. it will run down & go to the devil at least that part of it about him, for whats the use Major of my trying to do any thing for if I were to work day & night & try to make it something, somebody would come along by & bye to take it all away from me. I shall continue to goad the Governor. Have written a letter by the steamer which goes to day to a D[?] J G Smith and shall contrive another to some body else by the next.

                       

Bucklin Bailey Thurber & James have arrived. Bucklin has gone to Bay Point "sick" sick of the sea? and "with the worst cold he has had for many years" / Bailey reports to you—I suppose Eldridge must now return to his company. Did the Doctor want Thurber I will send him if he insists upon it but Burton is nearly used up & Thurber may be necessary here a little while to look after the Regimental sick—I dont know whether I told you or not but I have sent to Rhode Island (not to the Governor) for another Surgeon for the particular use of the Regiment takeing the idea from Massachusetts.

                       

Major please to write me I feel most anxious to know that I am in such a situation that I can retire but as I said & as you know I shall not desert my post if wanted to remain on it by those who placed me there, but damn those who work to kick me out of a place I will not seek. I'll put the screws to their mission about here. it is lucky for  Sisson that he is with you

                                                                                   

Yours ever

NWB

 

P.S. / I have been obliged to assign St Graves Albert G. to company E—please direct Capt Bailey to take him up on his Muster Roll and report him as on detached service with Company I. here

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