Monterey April 19^th 1862.

 

            I was so much fatigued last night dear wife that I did not write to you. On the 17^th I was detailed as president of a court martial. We sat the first day, and on the second I was just about to commence proceedings when an order came to proceed with the regiment immediately four miles on the road to M^cDowell and then select a good position for defense and await further orders. Of course I adjourned the court immediately and marched at the head of the regiment. A portion of our troops are occupying M^cDowell some ten miles off, which was evacuated by the rebels on the day when we had the last fight of which I wrote you & we were ordered forward to sustain those troops as from certain indications they expected an attack. After posting / the regiment I rode forward to M^cDowell to see Gen^l Milroy & to get orders. On the way I met a messenger with orders to send the regiment back to camp, which I did, and then rode forward to see the Gen^l. The alarm proved false as no enemy appeared during the day. I found the Gen^l at the house of a widow lady by the name of Hull. Her husband had been a Colonel in the Virginia militia. He died since the commencement of the war. The house was decidedly the finest I have seen in Virginia, and is said to have cost twelve thousand dollars. We took dinner at the house and paid a quarter for it. After dinner Gen^l Milroy proposed that we should ride forward and take a view of the rebel camp which is situated on the top of Shenandoah mountain. We had an escort of about twenty cavalry and rode off upon our expedition like gay cavaliers. Within about three miles of the camp we met a / company of our infantry who had been sent out to feel the enemy in the morning. They reported that they had driven in the outposts of the rebels, and then retired themselves. The Gen^l halted the company there to await our return in case we should be attacked and need assistance. We then rode forward to the point where the rebel pickets had been posted, and found ourselves upon an elevated point within fair view of the camp. There was a valley about a quarter of a mile between the mountain we were on and the one upon the very top of which the camp was situated. The distance by an air line we judged to be about two miles or two and a half. We could plainly distinguish their tents and fortifications with the naked eye & with a glass not very powerful could count their artillery, and see their soldiers apparently watching our movements. / Their cavalry pickets were in the valley below, within range of our enfield rifles, but unfortunately our cavalry had nothing but the small cavalry pistol. We remained watching them about an hour, taking deliberate notes of their position, and then retired at our leisure. We approached very nearly to them and I do not believe that they will venture to make an attack upon us again. In fact I somewhat doubt whether they will even attempt to retain their present position although they seem to have fortified themselves very strongly, as if they intended to remain. This however dos not seem to be a good criterion by which to judge of their motives, for they certainly had fortified their camp on the top of the Allegheny in a most masterly manner, and yet they deserted it upon the approach of our troops. I do not understand their movements, as they seem to fly at our approach no matter how strong their position for defense may be. The other day in making / the attack upon us at this place they were met so warmly by my two companies that they retreated with great rapidity until they reached their present camp, showing evidently that they were very much frightened.

 

Today the seventy third Ohio, Col Orland Smith, reached here with his regiment, & pitched his tents near to ours. I invited him to dine with us, which he did. He seemed to appreciate our timely hospitality very much, and I have no doubt he will be disposed to do by us a friendly part whenever the occasion may offer. I find that there exists a good deal of jealousy between the officers of different regiments, and I have made considerable effort to prevent any such feeling from growing up in regard to the 75^th. So far the different officers have met me in a very friendly way, and I hope to win my way in such manner as not to arouse this jealousy. /

 

I find so far our regiment can compare most favorably with any that I have seen, in every respect. The little fight we had the other day has established our reputation as a fighting regiment, and all the rest we had before. We had battalion drill day before yesterday, at which almost all the officers at the post were present. How long we will remain here I cannot tell. Gen^l Fremont may perhaps be acting wisely in holding us back for some reason unknown to us, but certainly unless he has some good reason hidden from us, it is very unwise to tie us up here, so as to permit the rebels to fortify in our front. It may be however that other forces are advancing from different directions towards this rebel camp, so as to cut off their escape, and that we are held back until all are ready. I trust that this may be his reason, for I know of no other which would justify him in the present course. 

 

            Gen^l Schenck is expected here by next Tuesday with his brigade, and we then will outnumber the enemy, unless they receive reinforcements from Jackson who would seem to have as much as he can do to take care of himself. How uncertain we are all calculations in war. May ours prove correct, and these rebels soon be driven from the country which they have cursed with their wickedness. We have received news of the grand battle of Pittsburg, but as yet there seems to be much uncertainty as to the greatness of our triumph. Some say that our success is perfect, and others that we only held our own. A few days will no doubt enlighten us correctly. A few such fights should settle the matter of this rebellion forever. At our last accounts McClellan seems to be battling away at Yorktown but with what success we do not know. Richmond must soon fall into our hands unless we are defeated. 

 

Yesterday I received five letters from you. One in the morning and four in the afternoon. The morning letter announced that our dear Johny had recovered, and was bright & happy with his toys, the fever having entirely left him. This was the first intimation I had received of his sickness. The afternoon letters gave me the account of his sickness. I was most thankful that the last letter came first, as I should have been terribly alarmed without it. Tomorrow I hope to receive a further account of his improvement. From your letter I have no doubt his sickness arose from indigestion alone. I am glad that Sattie has returned, and hope that her visit at Louisville may be an agreeable one. Give my love to her & the children and all the family. It is now long past my usual bed time and I must say good night with loving kisses and earnest prayers that we may be speedily reunited in peace & happiness at home.

N. C. M^cL

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