Boston July 25^th 1861

 

My dear Brother:—

                        Your letter of the 21^st inst. came in due season and of course I was glad to hear from you. You make short work of the haying, get out the strongest team in the neighborhood I presume. I am glad to hear you are having more than you expected. The people of our town seem to believe in Greelys doctrine "pitch right in" So go into the electioneering in good season perhaps, like Greely, they will find out there is such a thing as driving the engine a little to hard I have no objection to Danas getting the nomination but I should like to see the whole of the gang that is so interested pitched overboard and some good man like Mr. Moore elected.

 

            You, like all at the North, must have felt loony enough when the news of the defeat first reached you in its wild and exaggerated report. It was awful news / as first reported. The morning papers gave a flattering account of the advance and an Extra was issued about eleven giving the account of more victorys but in less than an hour from that time news came that we were defeated with an immense loss. I tell you it was blue times in the streets of Boston that afternoon. The newspaper offices were crowded with people anxious to hear the news, good or bad. By six o'clock we rec'd a clearer report showing that it was not so bad as first reported and the people went home feeling much better. The reports have been growing better and better every day and now it is called a "Bunker Hill defeat" and so I hope it may proove. This evening papers announce that Scott is going to look after his own business in the future and let the politicians do the same. I presume Greely is honest and means well but I think he is doing far more hurt than good. He seems to carry his personal feelings into the matter as regards Seward. One thing about the late battle it has prooved that instead of one Southerner being equal to two Northerners in a fair fight, "viceversa".

 

Two regiments have left here this week, two more will go the first of next and others in a short time. They still hold out and will for some time to come. George / Hayden of So. Weymouth was in one of the regiments that left this week. Fletcher Webster's.

 

Willie Daggett has returned. I have not seen him. Groans were given on the Common for Gen. Butler by the two regts. that have just returned from Fortress Monroe He is an unprincipled dog and deserves them perhaps.

 

Last Sunday I caught a glimpse of one of the Misses Whitman at Waltham the youngest one I guess. I wasn't near enough to see how she looked but Miss Whitney said she appeared to be a nice young lady. Uncle Nath'l & Lewis left here yesterday morning for Washington to get a grab. I suppose they might as well have a part as any one. It will not be running a great risk to try to get up a sale this year but I am afraid you won't do much I have sent for those accounts & notes and expect them in to-morrow. Abbies letter reached me this morning. I will let you know about the sugar in a letter to her Sunday. My grocery friend is away to-day. Do you have as good times as ever in the Division room? I think of you Saturday nights at about nine o'clock. Please remember me to any there that you think may be interested to hear from me. I am well. Write soon and come yourself.

 

From your brother Charles Chase

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