Huttonsville March 16^th 1862

 

            I wrote to you last night dear wife that we were ordered to march to Cheat Mountain on Monday morning, but I now can write that this morning the order has been countermanded by Gen^l Rosecrans, so that we remain here for the present. There will undoubtedly be a forward movement before very long but when is yet unknown to me. The sooner the movement is made with sufficient force, the better, for this war will never end if all parties remain quietly in camp. I am glad of the present delay as it will increase our strength every week that we remain. Our sick men are coming in from the hospital very fast, and after a short time will be ready for duty. If we were to march tomorrow we would be compelled to leave a large number behind who are unfit for duty. The disease / which has prevailed with us is the measles and men are unfit for duty for some time after the disease has left them. Aside from the measles, our men are healthy and doing well.

 

Today the Third Virginia regiment which on yesterday marched to Cheat Mountain marched back again to camp Elkwater where it had been encamped. Gen^l Milroy's orders had been countermanded by Gen^l Rosecrans his superior officer, and therefore all the preparation of the last four days has been for nothing. When we next are ordered it will be from Head Quarters, and then forward for Staunton and Richmond. This of course is mere conjecture on my part, for I am not in the secrets of Gen^l Rosecrans who at present controls our movements. Gen^l Milroy is very kind and agreeable to me, and has explained to me his plans, which the order of Rosecrans frustrated. This was done in confidence, with the injunction / not to divulge them to any one atall and so of course I cannot write them to you. They are good & feasible, but after all the delay may prove advantageous in accumulating a larger force than we can bring into the field here at present. Have you seen the order of the President dividing the army into departments? When I least expected such a thing my lot has fallen under Gen^l Fremont. He is placed in command of the Mountain Department in which we now are. Is it not a little singular that I should under all the circumstances have him as my principal commander? Rosecrans and Milroy are however both between the regiment & Fremont so that we may never be nearer to him than Wheeling where we suppose he will fix his headquarters. You will not like this I know, but you must not grieve over it, as it cannot be helped. I saw by the Cinti Gazette of the 16^th / that Col John Groesbeck had been made acting Brigadier General. Does not this seem to be a farce? John must have improved wonderfully to be fitted for this position. Favour they say is everything and John seems to be in the way. In this wild country I expect promotion will only come by hard fighting. So much the better I had rather win my spurs by my own exertion than receive them in any other way. If I can only fill the post I at present occupy with honor to myself & benefit to my country I shall be content and leave to others the plumes which their services do not command or their abilities fit them to wear. I shall probably remain here until after the next mail, which arrives on Sunday and will write you again tomorrow. My letters are written every day, and I suppose you get them all in a bunch, but they show you how much you are in my thoughts. Love to the children & family. God bless you darling wife.  N. C. M^cLean

 

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You must always give my love to Nettie with the rest of the family.

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