Rappahannoc Station

Thursday Afternoon

Aug. 13 1863 

 

Dear Molly—

                        I have been still and I cant help thinking lazy all day, although I have been busy after a fashion. After breakfast which I did not get till near 8oc—it rained so Levi could not make a fire—I rode down to see the pontoon bridge which was reported in danger by the high water; but found the danger over and the water receding altho the rain had scarcely ceased half an hour before. Then I spent most of the remainder of the forenoon in reading orders and attending to the forwarding of papers. Levi has come with the tea pot, and I will postpone further conversation till after tea.

 

It is now nearly 9 o'clock and I dont feel quite so much in the mood or condition of writing as last night / I dont know as the quiet monotony of camp life and solitary habits are going to agree with me so well as the fatigues of the march and dirty clothes. I havent felt quite so well as usual to-day: having had a little bowelary derangement, and an occasional caving sensation in my stomach, the weather and a disturbed night no doubt has had some agency in the matter; for as I predicted we had a night of copious rain and a succession of big thunder.

 

Your letter of the 9 & 10^th came this afternoon, as welcome as ever. Ity was very nice to have the Doctor during the thunder storm of Sunday evening. I should have been very glad to have had for my solace last night the one who had the Doctor Sunday night. I thought I would give my letter of to-day / to Harriet, until I got the intelligence that she had gone to Amherst. I hope she will have a pleasant visit. It seems that dear Mother had not received the letter which I wrote her some days ago. Perhaps there had not been time before the date of yours. I am very glad that I had anticipated her wish in the matter.

 

What I meant about Gen. Humphphreys is this. Gen Tyler, who commanded the 1^st Brig (mine was the 2^d) in his Div. in the 5^th Corps, told me in Baltimore a day or two before I left that Gen Humphreys had been pursuing me all the early part of winter, while I was home sick, and reported me absent without leave and tried to get me ordered back to his command or proceeded against for absence without leave, until he was finally snubbed by the Secretary / of War, who told him that he need give himself no further trouble about me as I was under orders from the War Dept. Gen Tyler certainly appreciated that Gen Humphreys was inimical towards me. It should be considered however that they have had a quarrel and Gen T. has had a Court Martial trial under charges preferred by Gen H.

 

Gen Humphreys has been represented to me as an illnatured churlish capricious person. He treated me personally with courtesy during my brief service with him, and ought not to have taken exception to my absence: for I made my sick reports in due form and season up to the time of my orders to report to Gen Schenck, and on the very day of the reception forwarded a copy of the order to Brig. Hd Qrs to be forwarded to Div. Hd. Qrs—

 

Gen Humphreys is now chief of Gen. Meades Staff and I suppose had the manipulation and disposal of my applications for leave of absence.

 

I have employed part of the afternoon in making an imperfect sketch of my our position. It is that portion of the position the hills and entrenchments on the south side of the river and South and west of the R.R. about which I have written you. Good night, With a prayer for Gods blessing upon us and love to all

                                               

Affectionately your Husband

 

 

Mrs H S Briggs

Pittsfield

Mass.

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