Hilton Head May 31 1862

 

Dear Major

                        I did not receive your letter of the 26^th until yesterday when I immediately applied to Capt Fuller to let me know when there was an opportunity to send to Edisto. he promised to, but did not, and the first I knew the 76^th was marching down to the wharf. I immediately sent the box down also a coil of picket rope to have in time to get the 11 men of K Company or horse from camp. I hope to be able to send them to day

 

            I am not able to send you a saddle & bridle yet because the Q Master here would not honor the requisition saying that you must draw them there whether you can or not I do not know but he says you can. I thought you had better have the horse even if you have only a halter with him.

 

            Every day of my life I grow sicker & sicker of Staff Officers. Particularly those who dont know their business. I was sorry to see that the tone of your letter was a little blue. hope things have improved. I have had a great deal of trouble here with the Paymaster, the damned old fool declining to pay the extra 1^st & 2^d Lieutenants which compelled me to appeal to General Hunter and / altho the General saw my view of the matter was correct he yet refused to pay. After much difficulty Major Blanding succeeded in getting his pay to day—because of the Pay Masters doubt of our right to two Majors what he will do about the 3^d I am sure I cant imagine.

 

            The weather here is very hot & I am exceedingly anxious about your command. how men can march these hot days I cannot tell. that our boys can do as well as any I cannot doubt. Hope to hear from you again in a few days Sickness rather increases with us—tho nothing very alarming. The 8^th Maine has come here from Tybee with a great many sick men 100 sick have been sent here from the 6^th Connecticut both very filthy regiments.—the 28^th Mass has now got back here—no sick—they are composed you will recolect of the same material as the most of our Regiment. I am in hopes to get the Regiment alltogether again one of these days, when certain matters which have annoyed you will be remedied.

                                                                       

Ever yours

NWB

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