Huttonsville March 25^th 1862

 

            Your two letters darling wife of the 18^th and 19^th were received tonight, and have relieved me of a world of trouble and anxiety about our dear Evy. Since Saturday I have waited to hear from you every day thankful that no telegraph arrived, because I feared a dispatch would bring me bad news. From your account I now hope that our dear child will ere this have entirely recovered, or at least be out of danger. Your letter is of course six days old, and by this time she must be well unless something should follow. You must be extremely careful for the secondary stages of this disease are said to be more dangerous than the first attack. I need not caution you however for you will do all that the most devoted mother could do. You must not make yourself sick however for that would make matters worse 

 

I am sorry dear wife that you still feel so much about my position here. I know that it all proceeds from your love for me, but I wish dear wife that you could feel as I do, that I am engaged in the performance of a sacred duty, which I cannot desert, and that therefore I must let that feeling support me under all the trials which I may be called upon to undergo. You must not even imagine that I do not feel as you do, great sorrow at our separation, for I am sure you cannot read one of my letters without coming to the very opposite conclusion. No dear wife my love is equal to yours, and I am now only doing that which you cannot help thinking is right. When this war is over I hope that you and I will both look back upon the part which I have taken in it with pride. You well know that I could not have remained at home and retained my own self respect, and even you would in the end have / thought less of me than you now do. I know that it must be hard and dreary for you at home alone, but tell me who this war does not effect in some way or other disadvantageously. We are going through a great trial in this country, and every patriot must lend his aid however feeble it may be to save his country from destruction. I believe my motives are pure, and this feeling enables me to submit to privations most cheerfully which under other circumstances would be too heavy to sustain. You must know and feel all this dear wife, and ought you not to take part with your husband and encourage him in the good work? I do not ask you to regret my absence less, for in this I heartily join you, but cannot this regret exist, with at the same time a hearty approval of the course I have taken. You will soon learn how to conduct all your money matters like a regular business woman, and then you will have / no fears as to that matter for the future. I shall soon I hope be able to relieve you in that matter, for I have today heard that the paymaster starts tomorrow from Wheeling to pay off our regiment. I think the news is reliable as it comes from one of my own Lieutenants who happens to be there. Should this prove true he will be here next week, and I shall then soon be able to send you quite a nice little sum after paying off my debts here, and retaining enough for myself to last until next payday. So do not be troubled in regard to money matters. When you go back to Glendale you may do as you please in regard to selling either the cows or horses. I think myself we have too many, but you must use your own judgment upon the matter. In your calculations you must remember that taxes are to be paid in June and December of each year & that money must be laid by for that. You must consult Mr Munroe regarding this when you return. 

 

            There is nothing of interest happening in the regiment. Our sick that remain are now all doing well. We have lost four men here with the measles, and consider ourselves under the circumstances extremely fortunate. Our movement for the present is impossible. Ever since the twentieth it has been storming and the ground today is covered with at least four inches of snow. The snow in the mountains must be over a foot deep, so that we are tied hand and foot by the weather. The 73^rd regiment ordered here from Clarksburg has telegraphed that the roads were impassable and has been permitted to delay its march until this storm is over and the roads improve a little. Capt Hyman with his battery of artillery when last heard from was within forty two miles of this place struggling along through the mud to join us, with but poor success. I should not be atall surprised if he goes up also. Our regiment marched through in spite of / all difficulties of weather, and roads, just as we intend to do throughout the war. May we always be as successful hereafter as we have been heretofore. Tomorrow by order of Genl Milroy I send Capt Deshler with his company on a foraging expedition into the enemies country, to be gone about five days. He is to be joined by some more troops at Camp Elkwater under Lieu^t Col Thompson. Perhaps he may get into a little brush before he returns. The men are eager for the trip. I send eight wagons with him for hay, which I hope he may succeed in loading, as our [?] had but one load since our arrival. The great difficulty here is forage for the horses. There is a screw loose somewhere or we would not be so badly supplied in this particular. Our mail does not go until Thursday so that I will write you again before mail day. Col Constable has long since gone to bed, & I must follow. Give my love to Evy & Johny & all the family. Write me about yourself darling wife. Good night with kisses warm & loving

                                                           

N. C. M^cLean

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