Huttonsville March 12^th 1862

 

            Your letter darling wife arrived today instead of yesterday, but it was none the less welcome for that. My faith was rewarded by its receipt, for I knew you had written. The Post Master at this place had by mistake sent my letter to the 2^nd Virginia regiment at Cheat Mountain Pass and Lieu^t Comb (May his shadow never grow less) had the kindness to send it down to me by a special messenger. It was dated March 4^th and was written just after the receipt of my letter written from Beverly. I cannot understand the necessity of letters being so long on the road. We arrived here on the 26^th of February and you certainly have had time, if the mails would only go regularly & as quickly as they ought, to hear from me at this place and answer me too. We must however learn to be satisfied with things as we find them, and not make ourselves unhappy / all things do not go in regular order. Today has been a most lovely spring day and all the men have seemed to enjoy it to the utmost. Our battalion drill although unusually long was really a pleasure to the men. Tonight there is a brilliant moon and the air is scarcely cold enough for a very small fire in our tent. Outside the men are having a nice time. Some are playing at games, and some are dancing. A violin is making music within hearing of that kind which it is difficult to resist. I was called out just now to see its effect upon a genuine Virginia darkey. He danced upon the tail board of one of our wagons as if his whole soul was in it. Head, hands body & feet seemed to take an equal share and withall the time kept by him was perfect. There he is at it again, amid the shouts of the lookers on and my pen feels demand to jump with the music & his feet instead of writing words. 

 

            I have often seen the white negro minstrels but always imagined that all their contortions were exaggerations of the real negro dances, but I am now satisfied that they have copied nature very closely. The noise was so great that I had to go out and see what they were all doing, and I would like you to have seen the sight. One negro dancing in the most unmentionable way whilst another patted with his hands on every part of his body from his boots to the top of his head and always in perfect time. It is well that we should be merry while we can for there is certainly enough in a soldiers life on a campaign in the winter time in Western Virginia to make one feel like anything else than rejoicing. I will not complain for considering all things we have done very well, and then we are in the line of our duty. This thought sweetens all the hard fare and enables us to bear with cheerfulness all the toil & labor which fall to our lot. 

 

I am sorry to hear dear wife that you are not feeling well and that you do not go into the parlor in the evening. Remember that I particularly desire you to take plenty of out door exercise as your health in a great measure depends upon this. I would also prefer that you should go out & see your friends, particularly when they come to your own house. You will learn more of all military movements, and become acquainted with many of those with whom it may be my lot to associate in the future during this miserable war. I hope most sincerely that it will soon be brought to an end by the complete triumph of the Union cause. The people here are a miserable set who are only union when our troops are present. They cannot be trusted a moment. When we will make an advance is uncertain, but I hope we may be permitted to do something for the cause which we can all look back to with pride. Col C, Major R & Capt's Friend & Johnston desire to be remembered to you all. Love to the children & family & blessings upon you all. Good night darling wife and a happy and speedy meeting between us. N. C. M^cLean

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