Newburg Va Feb 16th 1862
I received another letter from you yesterday afternoon dear wife but could not find time to answer it until now. Whether I shall be permitted to write even now is a matter of great doubt, for I am constantly interrupted with all the numberless questions which both officers and men it seems to me can invent. My position is I find one of great responsibility, and it requires constant devotion on my part in order to succeed. So far I find both officers and men seem to be satisfied, although at times I have been compelled to come down justly hard upon both. Some of my officers do not understand their duties perfectly, but they are learning very fast and I hope / soon to be able to say that I have a crack regiment in all respects. I believe I wrote you that our reputation for good conduct had already spread far and wide, and I shall make great efforts to keep this up. Our drill progresses finely. Every day that is atall suitable I have the regiment out on battalion drill, and I am not ashamed even now to compare them with troops that have been much longer in the service. The health of the regiment is generally good. We have quite a number of cases of mumps which swells up the number of our sick list, but there are only two or three men who seem to be in any danger from any diseases. Day before yesterday we found one case of measles. I had the man removed to a separate hospital and hope by this means to stop the spread of the disease. We have / about 125 men who say they have not had the disease, so that we should have quite a sick regiment if they should all take it at once.
Our prospects for remaining here for aught that I know are very good. Unless Genl Lander should need us, we will probably remain here, unless indeed we should have the good fortune to be ordered to Kentucky. How rejoiced I should be darling wife at any orders which would again bring me where I could meet you again. The officers of our mess laugh when the mail comes in, with letters from you so often. I think however their laugh is rather a sorry one as their wives do not write one letter to your five. I hang over them, and with good reason too / for I know darling little wife must be better and sweeter than theirs. Ere this I hope you have gone to Louisville, but I will still direct my letters to Cincinnati until you write to me to the contrary. When I leave here you must not expect to receive letters so often, as we may be off from the mail route. Remember that I charge you not to feel anxious on that account. I will write whenever I can, and when the letters do not come, think that I am still well and in no trouble until you hear from me. We may move at any time, but as yet I have no orders. Mr Munroe I suppose paid Mr Wooley upon John's statement made from the information derived from Sam Thompson. He is however under your orders exclusively, and you must give such directions as you please. You are the Colonel now. How I should like to be under your orders just now. Would not I stop your commands by a thousand kisses.
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Give my love to Jane & all the children & keep all that I have for yourself darling wife Do not fail to write to your loving husband
N. C. McLean