Newburg Va Feb 12^th 1862

 

            I wrote you a line or two darling wife merely to let you hear from me. I had intended writing to you a real letter, but one duty pressed upon me after another until there was only time to scratch off what you no doubt will receive the day before this reaches you. I find it difficult to write, because I seem to be interrupted almost every moment, and this you know makes it impossible to write with any satisfaction. All of my letters to you have been, and I expect will hereafter be written in great haste, so that you must always take this into consideration when you read them. No doubt I forget many things I ought to write about, but you will excuse this when you remember how I am generally situated when / writing. Of one thing however dear wife you cannot accuse me, and that is, of omitting to tell you how precious you are to me. After writing to you this morning I received a nice long letter from you enclosing another from dear Johny. Both were very welcome. Tell Johny he must write to me again. I read his letter to Capt Johnston and he says, certainly he would like to have his photograph very much indeed. This reminds me that you have not yet sent your photograph. I wish you would do so as soon as you can, for when we move, there might be some difficulty in my getting them. Capt Friend showed me the photograph of all his family excepting his wife on yesterday, and it made me feel quite envious. You can send them by mail very securely. The havelock might come that way also I suppose or by express. I have forgotten whether I acknowledged / the receipt of the little box sent by Mr Anderson. It came with his freight all safe. The handkerchief is a very nice one indeed and I am very much obliged to you for it. My compass is a beauty, I am delighted with it. The case is very substantial and I carry it in my pocket without danger of its being broken. The guard for my watch I have placed in my trunk for the present. When I get to some town where I wish to dress up I will put it on. My leather guard answers every purpose in camp.

 

As soon as you receive money enough from the rents I wish Mr Wooley to be paid. I have received a letter from John in which he says Mr Sam Thompson spoke to him about the rent, and said that Mr Wooley would take advantage of any omission on my part to pay rent. You need not fear this however for he cannot do me an ill turn / should he even desire to do so, as the law would always permit me to redeem any forfeiture which might occur from the failure to pay the rent promptly. You had better let Mr Munroe pay the rent as soon as he can, always remembering that you must not for any purpose use any of the two hundred dollars reserved for your Louisville trip. I cannot tell yet when we are to receive our pay, but it will come some day, and every month adds to the amount. It is now five months, or will be on the 18^th of the month since my pay commenced, and this will amount to a nice little sum. We can doubtless use it all in one way or another when it does come. I am very sorry that Tottie still insists upon going to St Louis, but if she must go, the sooner the better, for I expect it will be as safe there now as at any time. 

 

lest some foolish fellow should again alarm you I must tell of another little accident which happened to me by the same horse & with the same result. I was firing my pistol from off of Flash, having Jerry held by the servant near, in order to accustom them both to the firing. Jerry when Flash pressed close up to him, kicked up behind and struck me upon the leg above the ankle. My pantaloon & boot saved me so that the skin was not even broken. My leg was bruised and gave some little pain but not enough to interfere with my usual duties. It is now well and nothing remains but a bruised spot as if I had fallen down. Flash has been tied down and fired over by the men until he seems to have become accustomed to the noise. He hears the pistol cock / very well, and remains quiet enough for me to take aim. The other horse has not yet been thoroughly tried, but I think he will do very well. The mail has left the camp and I must close in order to place my letter in the office at the town myself. I have written in such a hurry that I fear you cannot read it. Give my love to Jane and the children, with love Kisses for my darling wife and prayers for the health & happiness of all of you.

N. C. M^cLean

 

My disappointment was great at not receiving the photographs. Tell Jane if she is so punctilious with me I will get angry at her. Of course I would like to have her photograph and shall feel offended if I do not get it.

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