Huttonsville March 15^th 1862

 

            It seems almost impossible dear wife to have an uninterrupted moment in which to write to you. I have been sitting with my pen in my hand for a long time, waiting for first one officer and another to get through with their visits. they have all gone now, and I am alone for a few moments. Today was mail day, and I received a letter from you, and one from Evy. They were both welcome I assure you. I have been more fortunate than most of the officers, for my dear little wife rarely lets a mail pass without sending me a letter. I feel really sorry for some of the officers, as they must feel badly used. They see me receive so many letters, whilst they must be content to wait for the next mail. Is it not a comfort to have so good a little wife, who never fails in anything? 

 

Another interruption from Capt Friend and Major Reily which has lasted a long time. The last for bed time has arrived very nearly and I can now hope for quiet. The camp is all astir with the prospect of a forward movement. We are to march on Mond. to Cheat Mountain. You must still direct your letters to this place, and they will be forwarded to the regiment wherever it may be. Whilst on the march you know I cannot send you letters so often, but there will still be a mail now and then to and from the regiment, perhaps as often as there is now. The mail will be carried by troopers instead of mail carriers & will be under military control. So you need not grieve at not being able to hear from me. I will write to you at every opportunity and give you a history as far as I can of all that transpires. Of course we are bound / not to give information of anticipated movements, as there are so many rebels everywhere, that information might be given to the wrong parties by those we least suspect. You of course are not included in this class, but I very much fear from what you say that many of your acquaintances and relatives would rejoice in being able to defeat any movement of our troops they could by giving information of anticipated movements. I am sorry to hear that the bitter feelings on the part of the rebels increases. If this goes on who can tell the result. The union party will gradually get up the same feeling, and then there must be a war of extermination. There are many union people I find near us who have been kept down by fear of the rebels. Today when I was in Gen^l Milroy's quarters there came in seven large stout intelligent men all dressed in linsey and armed with / rifles who had fled from their homes to join the union side. They lived near Huntersville and feared to stay at home longer as today was the day for drafting by the rebels, and as they would not enter the rebel army, they might be shot for their resistance. One of them was the son of a Mr Bussard who a few weeks ago was taken from his house and brutally murdered by a party of rebels for no offence excepting that he was a union man. These men report that large numbers of loyal citizens will join our army in its advance to aid in driving out these miserable murderers from their homes. The late defeat I have no doubt has had much to do with the feeling of loyalty in all parts of our country both north and south. It is late and I must to bed. Love to the children and all the family, with warm loving good night kisses to the dearest wife ever man had from your loving husband

                                                                       

N. C. M^cLean

SOURCES