We magnanimously agreed to the arrangement of taking in lots to suit the miller, so as to save time and trouble in making change. Gen^l Tyler of our Brigade kindly volunteered his services to act as cashier for the miller, so that worthy had nothing to do but count his barrels and bags and roll them out to his customers he worked with energy, doing a thrashing business until nightfall when his entire stock was gone his account of the days sale was found to tally exactly with that of his distinguished cashier and that gentleman handed over to him the pile which had been taken in, which was worth at the very least calculation one dime for waste paper the only trouble we had with the notes was to cut the printers name and address off the lower part of the notes. I have not heard how the miller made out with his paper we have passed plenty of the same kind of paper through the valley but it is played out now as the people have got an "idea" where it comes from and a General order from Headquarters forbids any of the command keeping or passing any of the notes. Having been interrupted while writing this by moving camp, I finish it on the 27^th. we have moved our camp nearer the Junction. Yesterday we had a review of the Division by some black whiskered slouchy looking Brigadier from Washington. Sheilds is now in Washington. there is some trouble between him and the powers that be in regard to this Port Republic affair the Senate rejected his nomination for Major Gen^l and refuses to reconsider it, and Jimmy says he will resign if he is to blame for Port Republic he should be discharged from the service, but I do not blame him as much as I do Tyler and Carrol who commanded the 3^rd & 4^th Brigades in the fight, they being present and seeing the state of the case, should have got out of the scrape no matter what their orders were to the contrary. If Shields had ordered them to march their Brigades into the Shenandoah they would not have done it. Why then did they drive their men into sure destruction by attacking Jacksons force of 25,000 with less than 5000 effective men. "obey orders if you break owners" is all very well in its way. that is supposed to touch the pocket only but "obey orders if you break heads" is a more serious matter. When the fight was going on Shields was a days march from us bringing up the two other Brigades. Since we camped here two of our Reg^t died from the effect of rifled burst-head which is sold at Manassas. One was shot in a drunken fight with a comrade and the other died just from drinking it. I hear that we are to be furnished with a new out-fit. we want it much as our clothes are worn out with hard work We have been known lately among the other Divisions as Shield's Ragged Militia. Many of our men are disabled by our long and laborious marches and are being discharged. write soon and tell me the news I have not heard from you for a long time. I get your papers regular. tell me if you received the sixty dollars that I sent you last and if the freight was paid on it or if you paid it. My reason for asking this is this I sent the money by our Lieu^t Co^l J. H. Patrick he was sick and was not able to take it to the office of the express so he sent it with a friend and he does not know whether his friend paid the freight or not. if he did then I want to pay Co^l Patrick

 

I see by the papers that old Abe has been bobbing around your way looking up old Scott.

 

there is something in the wind. I hope it will turn out good. Many are of the opinion that if Shields leaves us that Pope will take his place

 

            I am glad to hear that the old militia reg^ts are again taking the field and that the Empire City is doing her share. While at Fredericksburg I saw the 14^th Brooklyn Zouave Reg^t they are a splendid looking Rg^t and are well liked they had some trouble with Gov Morgan he wanted to alter their name and n^o and they would not do it. they are an independent Reg^t and want to remain such and to be known as they have always been, the 14^th Reg^t N.Y.S.M. While I write there is a cannonade going on at the Junction. This is an every day performance up there some days for trying new batteries and some days for practice

 

please tell me if you received my Front Royal letter I am quite well

 

give my kind regards to all my friends earnestly hoping that you are all very well

                       

I am as ever

Your sincere Friend and affectionate Brother

James Clarke

 

M. M. Huey                                                    

 

address

Shield's division Va

via Washington D.C.

SOURCES