Huttonsville March 67^th /62

 

            I wrote you yesterday dear wife and expected this morning to have plenty of time to write you a long comfortable letter, but I have been occupied all the time & I am now stealing a moment to write you a line before the mail closes in the office of Gen^l Milroy. I find that it is impossible for me to make any reliable calculation as to my time. Some unexpected duty comes up and interferes with every arrangement, so that I have learned only to be sure of the present. Today our mail came in and I am making great calculations upon receiving letters from you. If I am again disappointed I shall feel it more severely than before. I do not really think that you are too sick to write, for I remember / the old adage that "bad news travels rapidly"; and I should surely have heard before this any bad news. I cannot however altogether get rid of the feeling of anxiety which jumps upon me in the absence of your letters. They are so loving and kind, and make me feel that there is one person in the world who loves me and thinks of and for me in all things. How desolate those poor fellows must feel who have no tender home ties to look back to & think of. I am glad to hear that Evy has commenced her lessons. I shall expect her to play finely for me on my return. She has a fine ear and exquisite taste in the selection of her little pieces, & if she preserves this, she will make a fine performer.

           

The Paymaster has been in this region but not for our regiment. / Gen^l Milroy telegraphed to Gen^l Rosecrans and he replied ordering the Paymaster to pay us off if he had any money. Unfortunately for us he had already used up all his money in paying other regiments so that we must wait still longer. He offered to pay me alone, but I declined, preferring to share all things with the regiment. It was clever in the Paymaster as it was all he could do, but I could not accept although the money would have been very acceptable. This reminds me to ask you if you are out of funds? I hope Mr Munroe has been able to keep you supplied, as I depend upon him for that until I can get paid off.

I must close as the mail is about to be sent off. Love to the children & all your family & warm loving kisses to darling wife.                      

N. C. M^cLean

SOURCES