Nathaniel C. McLean to Mary L. McLean, 21 March 1862
Huttonsville March 21st /62
 
            I have taken refuge dear wife in Major Reily's tent so as to be quiet and write to you. Col Constable has a school for the Lieutenants in our tent, and if I should wait for that to terminate it would be bed time before I could begin. It is necessary to be regular in camp in going to bed, as we are compelled to get up very early, and at a fixed time.
 
The day has been a gloomy one. The clouds have threatened rain all day with intervals of a cold shower or two, such as it is said make Frenchmen commit suicide. Perhaps I have not yet recovered from the blues of yesterday, and the failure of the mail to bring me a letter. Mail day is the event of all others which we all look forward to with expectations of pleasure. / When we are disappointed we have no resource but study or drill. The weather has been too bad for the latter for two days, and study has with me failed to keep my thoughts from straying homeward, and wondering whether you were all well. Yesterday afternoon was a gloomy one for me, and today has been but little better. I will however throw off this oppression and take courage from the past. I often think now of an exclamation made use of by Denny's, a character in I believe the last novel I read, and have felt disposed all day to repeat it, feeling that I could derive comfort from its repetition. He was always light hearted, and encouraged everybody by his bright spirits and the exclamation "Courage, le diable est mort". I hope he is, but I dont believe it if Denny's did insist upon it so often, for I often see his traces wherever I go. 
 
            I have just read the last sentence or two to the Major and he says, "no indeed he is not dead for we are feeling his rough hoofs over us all the time, for our whole life is one of discomfort caused by his countenance". The Major is right. I know of no work more satanic in all its features than this vile rebellion. But never mind I will still cry with Dennys "Courage, le diable est mort", and try to defeat him in part of his plans with all the power I have. Soon I hope we will lead a more active life, and then occupation will enable me to at least keep off the gloomy feelings which now sometimes come over me. The more actively this war is carried on the sooner will it end, and thus home with all its charms and a darling little wife to share it with me will be enjoyed with the more pleasure for this present separation. / I think we will both more perfectly appreciate the happiness of our home after this service is over, than we have ever done before, and feel that Glendale with all its discomforts is the happiest place for us. You have said nothing lately about renting the place. I hope you have abandoned this idea, as it looks to me like making permanent preparation to leave there, and I will not believe that this unholy war will be permitted to continue very long. The more I get into it the shorter I think it will be. Our victories lately have greatly added to the chances of its termination in a short time. It only needs a strong and vigorous blow in both eastern and western Virginia to end all that is really formidable. The rest will soon yield when this region is lost. The march south after Richmond is taken will be, I believe, from one scene of / triumph to another. There will no doubt be bloody battles, but of the victory I have no doubt. Perhaps I have grown too sanguine. It may last longer than I anticipate, but I hope not. My first idea was that such great preparation on the part of the South indicated a resistance so determined that it might take years to subdue it; but the late victories gained by our arms have been won under such circumstances that I sincerely believe they cannot stand against us upon anything like an equal field. The truth is they are on the wrong side, and strengthens us as much as it weakens them. Numbers are coming into our lines in this region in order to avoid impressment into the Southern army. We hear of many who will join us as soon as a forward movement is made. / The people here in a great many instances were willing to remain quietly at home and let the armies fight it out, without themselves taking any active part. They did this partly from ignorance and partly from fear. The time has now come however when they are to be forced in to the southern army and they must choose which course they will take. They do not hesitate long when they can safely get within our lines. They are coming in daily and joining our army. So it will be wherever protection is afforded to the people in Western Virginia. But hang the war, and all faint hearted people who have to be goaded into doing their duty. Col Constable has come in with his flute and insists upon the Major's playing and he is now at it, so I must say good night with love to the children and all the family and friends who take an interest in me. May God bless you darling wife and speedily unite us again in peace & happiness—
                                   
N. C. McLean
14710
DATABASE CONTENT
(14710)DL1941.046X.1Letters1862-03-21

Tags: Homesickness, Mail, Reading, Sadness, School/Education, Victory, Weather

People - Records: 2

  • (2943) [writer] ~ McLean, Nathaniel Collins
  • (2944) [recipient] ~ McLean, Mary Louise ~ Thompson, Mary Louise

Places - Records: 1

  • (1571) [origination] ~ Huttonsville, Randolph County, West Virginia

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SOURCES

Nathaniel C. McLean to Mary L. McLean, 21 March 1862, DL1941.046, Nau Collection