Newburg Va Feb 2^nd 1862

Camp Calvey Morris

 

                        Today darling wife is my birthday and I know that you are writing to me. I have received two letters from you, and have written four or five. I will not count letters with you however for many times I shall be where writing will be very difficult. I will always however under all circumstances write if I should have to do it in my saddle and only a line to say that I am well, for I know that will relieve you from all apprehension in regard to my safety. I enclose you a letter which I have written to Mrs Burnet in regard to the children. I think this will settle the matter but if it should not, remember that I wish you to act according to your own pleasure in all things, and permit no interference / on the part of Mrs Burnet or any one else, with your management or disposition of the children. I should be very unhappy if any circumstance should separate you from them even for a short time, and I beg you to be firm on this point, and not to permit them to be taken from you, or have your visit to Louisville in any way interfered with. It is very hard, that you should be troubled as soon as I leave, but I hope you will receive no more annoyance after this.

 

            I am glad that the draft is paid, for you will now have money enough until either I receive my pay, or Mr Munroe can make you a return. Remember you must retain $200— to start with to Louisville, whether the bills are all paid or not. I shall soon have more money, & they can wait a little longer. 

 

            Our present camp was named by Col Constable after a warm friend in Ohio. It is situated at the town and surrounded by high mountains. It was the only level spot I could find for miles, without climbing a high mountain. It is accessible by three roads, besides the railroad and upon these roads I have established my picket guard, at a sufficient distance to make an approach by Rebel troops impossible without timely notice. So far as I can learn there is no open enemy nearer than Romney which is some seventy miles off. How long we are to be kept here I do not know, but I am improving the time by teaching the men how to load & fire their guns so that the delay here is of benefit. We seem to be surrounded by Union people as all profess themselves to be and / can only hear of three or four men of the other faith in the neighborhood.

 

            When do you go to Louisville? When you do go give my warmest love to all your family, and remember my injunction, to make your mother receive some compensation from you and the children during your stay. She must not hesitate in this for I cannot feel comfortable in your remaining under any other circumstances. If she [?] then you must make her & the girls useful presents to more than make up for her refusal. I hope the children have all written to me before this, & my next letter shall be one to Johny, as he is the youngest.

 

            This is Sunday and this morning I went to a Methodist near us. It was communion day, and there seemed to be quite a large number of members I was pleased to have quite a large number of the men at the communion table. They seemed to feel the savior very much. Col Constable  has

 

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called me for dress parade which we hold on the top of a high mountain about half a mile distant so I must with love to you and all the children say good bye, darling wife

N. C. M^cLean

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