I telegraphed you yesterday that Burnet had arrived &c. This is written upon your paper, as I have not yet been able to get a supply. My trunk I expect in two or three days.

 

Camp at Cedar Creek near

Middletown Va June 27^th 1862

 

            You can well imagine dear wife my surprise and pleasure at meeting Burnet. You had mentioned your desire that he should visit me, but I had really no expectation of seeing him. He arrived day before yesterday and met with some difficulty in finding me. He passed my camp on the day before I saw and went as far as Strasburg which I had left at six oclock that morning. Finding that I was not there he returned to Winchester on the same day twelve from this place and again passing my camp which is situated about one mile from the road. At Winchester he remained all night and the next morning walked back to this point when he succeeded in finding me. I was sitting on a court martial very much engaged when called to there / and then much to my surprise found Burnet. Nothing scarcely could have surprised me more. It seemed indeed like a part of home to have him here, and it has made me more homesick than I was before. There is however no chance for leave of absence for me until the time I have promised to come, and even then you know I cannot control my own actions, although I hope and believe that I will be able to go to you at that time.

 

            I have sent Burnet to Washington City this morning where he will remain for a day or two to see his Aunt Ev, and to attend to some matters for me. I yesterday received from Gen^l Fremont and Gen^l Schenck two very handsome and complimentary letters urging my nomination as Brigadier General. Gen^l Fremonts letter was addressed to Mr Stanton Secretary at War, and Gen^l Schencks was not addressed to any one in particular. I will send copies / of them both to you by Burnet. I feared to send these letters by mail both on account of the delay, and also the danger of miscarriage. They are very important letters for me, whether the Secretary and President regard them or not, as the testimony they bear to my conduct as an officer is very complimentary and entirely voluntary on their part, & unsolicited by me. Gen^l Schenck at his own instance spoke to Gen^l Fremont who expressed himself very happy to give a letter, but the letter of Gen^l Schenck himself was without even the mention of such a thing on my part, and is therefore very highly prized. I doubt very much whether the President will nominate me, as he may suppose such favors had better be bestowed upon politicians who can benefit him more than I can. I have at least the proud satisfaction of feeling that I have on the field in action and dangerous service won / and received the unsolicited commendation not only of my own immediate commander, but also that of the commander of the department. Burnet will stop here on his way home. He brought me my clothes which I am glad to say fit very well and for which I am much obliged to you. He brought me also the handkerchiefs soap and socks & fan. Tell Evy who Burnet says knit the pair that came with him that they are grand. They come just in time as my baggage has not yet arrived. At present I fare much better than when in command of the regiment because I can make my headquarters at some house convenient to the Brigade. I am now staying at a country house where I have everything very comfortable both as to rooms and eating. If I could always fare this well soldiering would not be so hard. As soon as my tents arrive I intend to live in them so as to be in the midst of my brigade, which I intend

 

[sideways overwritten]

 

if possible to bring to as perfect a state as I did the 75^th Regiment. I intend to have them under good discipline so that when I call upon them they will not fail to respond in the way I desire. All of the regiments are very much reduced but rest will recruit the sick very rapidly. I must close and start for my Court Martial upon which there are five generals, one of them Major General Sigel.

 

Love to Lindy and all the children, and good morning kisses to darling wife—

N. C. M^cLean

 

[front margin]

 

Send me postage stamps

SOURCES