Huttonsville April 4^th 1862

 

            At last dear wife my tent is empty and I can commence my letter to you. Yesterday morning in making my usual visit to headquarters at Huttonsville I met Gen^l Milroy with one of his aids on the road to Cheat Mountain. He proposed that I should join the party and so, after stopping at our camp for a few moments to pick up another of his aids who was spending the day in camp we rode on to the summit. This time we took a different road which led across the hills and which is rarely used excepting by footmen. We followed a small path for several miles up and down hill, and over places well fitted to try the footing of our horses. As we were riding along slowly I saw a pheasant jump on to a log some distance off, and calling a halt shot it with my pistol from my horse. Gen^l Milroy at the same time shot at and wounded another one which / finally succeeded in getting away. My bird I strapped in front of my saddle and carried it back with me to camp. This morning we made a delicious breakfast upon Mr Pheasant. This was the only incident of our journey out of the usual routine. The pine woods looked just as grand although the snow had disappeared except in little patches here and there where the shade had prevented the sun exerting its melting powers. We reached the Cheat Mountain camp about dinner time. The sky was almost without a cloud and the day one of those lovely ones that come in the early spring, more beautiful, and more intensely enjoyed from its strong contrast to the cold, cloudy stormy days of March. I had my glass and could see very distinctly the huts of the rebels in Camp Baldwin on the top of the Allegheny. I looked a long time but could discover no smoke from this camp. After dinner we concluded to ride over some four miles nearer / to a point where we could get a much better view of the camp. The road was good and we were joined by Col Morse of the 2^nd Virginia, Lieut Col Sweeny & Major Hewit of the 32^nd Ohio. All seemed in good spirits and I enjoyed the extension of our ride very much. We reached the point we intended and had a nearer view of our Rebel friends camp. All seemed quiet, and no appearance of troops could be detected with our glasses. The Gen^l sent out scouts in the morning, who have come in this morning and report that the rebels have entirely evacuated their camp, so that we have nothing to do but march in and take possession. This provokes Gen^l Milroy very much. He says that he has been kept here idle for six months, his hands tied and forbidden to advance and now the game has escaped him. He had information some days ago which led him to believe the rebels intended to evacuate their camp, and asked permission to advance upon them, but was refused. Now however / permission is given him to advance as far as Camp Baldwin but no further. It is hard to understand the policy of our Generals, but we subordinates must yield obedience, think as we may. Gen^l Milroy has ordered an advance of all his troops and starts himself tomorrow morning with the intention of sleeping tomorrow night in Camp Baldwin some thirty eight miles distant. We would march at the same time but unfortunately he had sent our wagons after forage, so that we could not move, for want of transportation. Our teams will get back tomorrow night, & we are to march the next morning. This will take us to Camp Baldwin on Monday night. I do not regret the delay as it gives me a chance to receive a letter from you by the mail of tomorrow night. My ride yesterday was over thirty six miles from which I experienced no fatigue.

 

Direct your letters still to Huttonsville and they will be forwarded to the regiment. We cannot hear from each other quite so regularly, but our letters will go in some shape or other. I will write again before I leave. Love to the children and all the family. Good night darling wife with a thousand loving kisses from your devoted husband.

                                                                                                                       

N. C. M^cL.

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