Hilton Head June 20^th

 

Dear Major.

                        I have received your letter with mingled feelings that I cannot describe of deep chagrin at the result of a combat which has cost the lives of so many of your men, of satisfaction to think that they behaved so well and almost, of envy of you my friend, at the opportunity you have had of distinguishing yourself by the cool courage you displayed and the skill manifested in commanding your men, and while so far as you yourself are concerned, all is satisfactory to you, with me it is all the other way. I have received Major from the Governor the most unjust and insulting letter that you can possibly conceive of and which compels my resignation probably what he wished to effect, and I have answered it as I deemed such a letter should be answered tho' I can only look upon it as one of the damndest letters It touches upon many subjects & among others forbids my sending the names of any of the new officers to the examining board, saying right out that if I had been sent before a board at the time of my appointment I should / not have passed &c. I have answered the letter as I deemed such a letter should be answered. I have informed him that those officers would be sent before the board and that he might help himself. At the close of his letter he threatened me with removal. Of course I shall not permit him to remove me but shall resign immediately and I want you to do me the favor to ascertain if General Williams will permit me to send my resignation directly to Gen^l Hunter so perhaps Major you will obtain the command of a Regiment sooner than you expected. I would recommend you with all my heart if my recommendation would do you any good. Dont think to change my determination Major, it is fixed. I long to meet William Sprague face to face. This comes from that damned Sisson and it is a fitting return for my labor of the past 9 months to have him come into the regiment and [?] this breeze. luckey for him he is not here. I shall continue to do what I deem my duty Major nothing more, just to run the Machine so long as I am compelled to remain attached to it which I trust may not be long 

 

June 21^st—I have called on General Hunter this morning and stated my case with Gov Sprague to him. He advises me not to give myself any trouble about it, but to pass it by. nevertheless he gave me permission to leave with him my resignation, which I did, tho' I must General Williams approval on the one I send herewith, which I beg you to urge in my behalf on the General. I will not press its final acceptance until we have met, unless something new should turn up to render it necessary. Comstock had a very warm escape night before last—Field Officer of the day visiting the pickets during a severe thunder storm, talking with the Corporal, the Corporal was instantly killed by the lightning and Jas was knocked off of his horse & rendered insensible for some time. If you cannot possibly get along without him I will try to send you an Officer tho' I am myself exceedingly short for all there is to do here Comstock has applied for leave & will probably get it. D[?] men for guard duty. N[?] I think improves [?] in the men. Company I improves under Fry, is now ahead of M which is men enough 25 @ 3^d on sick list. Sat night Blanding informs me about a dozen men fell out of drill parade sick—horrible sight the wounded. I was at the Gen Hospital yesterday looking after our men. 

 

I believe all the things you have written for have been sent you. I am sorry to hear the coil of picket rope sent some time ago never was received. The horse I send you is said to be a good one at any rate he is the best there is to be had.

 

            I enclose Major my resignation as I am not sure but what it should pass thru' General Williams hands inasmuch as our Regiment is by orders attached to his Brigade. Have the goodness to hand it to him Major and request him in my behalf to approve of it. A man of high tone himself he can feel the sting of insult undeserved.

 

            That I regret to sever my connection with you, particularly, you cannot doubt, but you would not have me bear without resistance so gratuitous a wrong. I should tear myself apart and as it would soon become known thru' the Regiment I should soon be insulted by those damned fools for Officers. As it is I am unfitted for duty as I can think of nothing else.

                                               

Truly yours

NWB

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