Newburg Va Feb 15^th 1862

 

            No letter from you on yesterday dear wife. You have spoiled me so that I now expect a letter every day excepting when Sunday intervenes. Even then I grumble, but content myself with the thought that you have written, whether the mail goes on Sunday or not. I am afraid that I am doing the same thing with you by writing so often, for when the time comes, as it surely will, that letters cannot be sent regularly, you will imagine all sorts of terrible things when the only trouble is the mail. You must guard against this and learn always to look at the bright side. Trouble comes soon enough at all times, but there is the comfort to you and I that we have faith in our Heavenly Father, that all things are ordered by him / for our greatest good. What a blessed thing it is to be able to entirely trust in a power which is so infinite, that no imaginable circumstances can deprive us of its protection.

 

How short the time really is since we parted, and yet counting by our feelings how long it seems. Our trials will I hope terminate in this respect before very long, for all things seem now to look toward a speedy termination of this unholy war. It seems as if our regiment was intended to be held here as a reserve force, and if Lander should prove victorious, we may after all be ordered back to Kentucky before we see any real hard service. Our duties here are not light, but compared with others which we might have to perform, they are small. We are all anxious to push on, so as to take our part in this fight. / Delay is however benefitting us all the time, as it gives me an opportunity of teaching both men and officers. Soon I hope to present to whichever commander may call for my services a regiment of which I can be justly proud.

 

            This morning the ground is covered with about four inches of snow and it continues to fall steadily as if it would never stop. Everything around is covered with a white mantle. The ground, houses and evergreens are all draped alike, and the scene is one of cold beauty. Do not imagine that we suffer too much, for such is not the case. We get cold & warm up again, without difficulty in either case. I rather think getting cold however is cozier than the other, but the changes so far have not injured me in / in the least. I yesterday weighed one hundred and fifty seven pounds, so that I have not lost flesh, and this indicates continued health. How is it with you dear wife? Remember to answer my question in regard to yourself made in some of my former letters, for I am very anxious to hear all about you.

 

            I shall still direct this letter to Cincinnati, for fear something may have detained you longer than you anticipated from going to Louisville. I have had all my socks darned by the woman who does my washing, so that I am whole footed once more. When you knit for me again, get the double twisted yarn, it is thicker and stronger than the single. Love to Jane and all the children with kisses. May God bless and protect you all and speedily reunite us again in peace & happiness. Warmest love to you darling wife.

                                                                                               

N. C. M^cLean

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