Huttonsville March 2^nd 1862

 

            I wrote you last night dear wife and although there has been no mail to take that letter I still feel as if I must write you again now. Your last letter has depressed me by much for I cannot help fearing that your sickness may prove more serious than you suppose. I cannot rest easy until I receive another letter from you, which I hope will bring me the assurance that you have entirely recovered. I shall look for the arrival of the next mail with anxiety. It is not due here I believe until Tuesday, & this is Sunday. Patience and trust in Providence is all that remains for me. May God in his mercy spare you, and speedily reunite us in loving peace & happiness. The more I see of this rebellion the more wicked do I think those men were who have brought it about. There is no punishment too severe in my judgment for the leaders who have / for their own evil purposes plunged this whole country into distress. The evidences of desolation meet us at every stage in this region, and yet the people are said to be at heart rebels, and only remain when our troops are present. The country where we are encamped is very beautiful. The mountains rise in regular and beautiful succession on either side of us, from the plain to a great height. Through the middle of the valley runs one of the brightest and purest streams of water I have ever seen. For miles & miles this is the character of the country, and one would suppose so beautiful a valley would be populated with a rich and prosperous people. This is not so however. The houses are old and dilapidated, and when first built do not equal our common country farmers houses. We are encamped upon the ground of a Mr Ward with whom I have twice taken a meal. His wife is a strange character. She is as tall as I am, / and looks like a Mrs Menile. She is old enough to have lost all of her teeth wears spectacles on top of her head, with a small dirty cap perched upon the back of her head. Her hair is very gray and blowy and has the appearance of not having been combed for an unlimited time. To crown all she talks incessantly and is said to be a secessionist. She is very kind to me however & presses me to come & see her often. She hopes by keeping in [?] to prevent the soldiers from depredating upon her property. Tonight Col Constable & myself took tea with her, and she prophesied that I would soon become a general. This I suppose was to please me, but I thought more of her supper than of her compliments.

 

            It has been raining hard almost all day and now as I write the rain pours down upon the tent in a perfect torrent. Fortunately the tent is a very fine one and entirely water proof so that I can listen to the pattering with even some pleasure / The poor sentinels however will suffer as they must remain out rain or not. I hope the day with you has been fair and that you have been able to enjoy your church as much as you expected. Oh dear wife how much I wish to hear from you today. Should you continue sick my life here will be a miserable one. I have begged you in my former letters to take special care of yourself, and now dear wife I entreat you again for my sake not to neglect yourself even for a single day. Have you yet spoken to your mother about your situation? You must confide in her dear wife. I cannot be with you and she may be of great aid to you by her advice. Remember that the health of our child may depend in a great measure upon your own, and this should make you doubly careful. Write to to me always exactly how you are, and do not conceal anything from me. Love to the children & family all. Good night kisses many and loving dear wife from your devoted husband—N. C. M^cLean

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