Huttonsville March 7^th 1862

 

            I have just received your welcome letter dear wife. It has relieved me from the great anxiety I felt in regard to your health. Your letter bears date Feb 28^th, and it seems you had not heard of our arrival at this place for your letter was directed to Beverly. This is strange for on the 26^th the day we arrived here I telegraphed you and was assured the next day that the telegraph was forwarded. There's no certainty however up here among the mountains in anything. By this time I hope you are beginning to receive my letters sent both from Beverly and from here. The mail comes three times a week & immediately returns on the same day, this point being the road of navigation in the post office line in this region. You can imagine I am glad I was to receive your letter with its / welcome expressions of love. It has cheered and saddened me also. This may seem strange but it is nevertheless true, for I was rejoiced to hear of your recovery and made sad by the thought of home, its distance and the impossibility of going there. I also felt very, very sorry to hear of your mothers fall. I hope most sincerely that it will prove no more than a sprain, though I fear the worst as her fall must have been a very heavy one, and on a brick pavement too. Nurse her faithfully dear wife for there are few such mothers as you have. I know that I need not urge you to this however for I believe your mother is the only one I need fear to compete with me in your love. Tell her not to fret about my socks for I can get along very well without them until she gets well.

 

            I am glad Evy proves such a dear good girl. I knew she would / however for she always behaves in the same way. I received her letter at the same time as yours, and will answer it by the same mail if I can. Poor Mrs Johnson, I feel for her so much. Go to see her, and comfort her as much as you can. I am glad she does not feel bitterly, and hope that her husband is like her in that respect. Give my love to her and say that I am as warm a friend as ever.

 

            In this region there is little that is new or interesting in regard to this war. The weather and the roads render an advance in force for the present impossible, and the only war items that exist are details of little skirmishes between small parties. A few days ago, since our arrival Gen^l Milroy sent out a small force to attack a thieving party of the rebels at Circleville in this region, which resulted in a victory / on our side, and the capture of one captain, two lieutenants, some thirty privates and about fifty or sixty horses. The rebels had three killed but on our side we lost none atall. Such affairs as this are of no importance excepting to keep in check those who are depredating upon the union men of the state. Whilst our men were marching along by pairs on the road side they were often saluted by cries for Jeff Davis the people mistaking their character. On the other hand the union men flocked in as soon as they heard of them and joined them in the expedition. This shows that there is still a strong union feeling existing among some of the people which only needs protection to bring it forth. This will be given them at as early a day as possible. When our advance is made I hope it may be crushing and thorough so that this wicked rebellion may be rooted out at once & forever. I dined today with Gen^l Milroy. He is very companionable and kind, so that I see him

 

[sideways overwritten]

 

almost every day. He has promised to take me with him when he next visits the camps on the mountain, as I desire to have some personal knowledge of the location of all our troops. But I will close as I am doing what I dislike, crossing my letter. Love to the children & all the family, including Aunt Nancy & family, Mildred Ann & young Mister Thornton. Good night darling wife. May God bless & protect you & all our dear ones and speedily unite us again.

                                               

N. C. M^cLean

SOURCES