Cedar Creek near Middletown June 28^th /62

 

            Two welcome letters were received by me today dear wife from you. On one of them you announce the arrival of Capt Swope and take me to task for not writing to you by him. Now I feel almost disposed to scold you for this for you have no right to feel as you express yourself in regard to my long absence having made me tired of writing to you so often. Why dear wife can you not believe that which I have so often written you, and never even seem to doubt me again in any particular. When your letters do not arrive which happens much more frequently now than formerly I never blame you or think you are tired of writing to me but always think the mails are irregular. Can you not have the same confidence in me, & have I not given you good reason to / feel towards me in the same way? I do not really believe you doubt me in the least, but think you only complain because you now feel badly. When Capt Swope left it was impossible for me to write. I was so engaged that I could not. I made him promise to go and see you, which I thought would be a gratification, instead of affording you ground for complaint. Now like a dear good wife as you are never again tell me that I love you less or that I am neglecting you in any way. I have written to you as often as I possibly could, and it must be that my letters have miscarried for I know that unless this were the case you ought to have received many more than you mention. In one of your late letters you say, you are sorry I did not write to you on the first of June. Now I did write on that day, and no doubt the letter will arrive some day or other. Lately my letters have been written and / mailed on the march, and from the very loose way in which all things have been done at headquarters I expect our mail matter must also have been in confusion. But enough of explanation dear wife where none ought to be needed, let us trust each other perfectly and then all will be right.

 

            The matter which you speak of as a rumor has today proved a fact, for Gen^l Fremont left here for Washington City this morning, and Gen^l Pope is to take the command of the whole army including Banks, Sigel & M^cDaniel as I understand it. Gen^l Schenck takes Fremonts forces here, which increases his command and leaves me as an independent brigade. How this change will operate I do not know but if it has no other effect it will gratify you, and that I am rejoiced at. Fremont seems to have bad fortune, for no sooner does he get into the field at the head of an army than he is relieved of his command / It may be that this is for the interest of the country, but it looks like persecution. I am afraid we have to many seekers after high offices for the service to prosper. Under Pope I have no doubt we will move by some route upon Richmond so as to cooperate with M^cClellan unless the place should fall before Pope reaches here. Our baggage has not yet arrived, but is expected tomorrow and we can then make ourselves more comfortable. Today I have succeeded in changing completely my under clothes. Last night I had my outside shirt washed when I was in bed, & it was ready for me to put on in the morning. Think how I am reduced when put to such a strait. My boy turns out to be a good worker so that I can now have clean clothes at any time where I can be sure of a whole nights uninterrupted sleep. I see you do not feel very glad that I have been even temporarily promoted. I thought that / this mark of confidence on the part of my commanders would gratify you as it did me. What would you say if by some mistake Mr. Lincoln should make me a Brigadier General? I should be proud of this because my promotion would be founded upon a reputation won by actual service in the field and not upon mere favor. You are not ambitious enough for me. I must turn to Jane for consolation, as I know she takes more pride in my advancement than you do. I may however soon be put back to the command of my regiment, should a Brigadier come along without any command. I think you are mistaken in supposing that this position will make it more difficult for me to go home when I expect to, for the higher the rank the greater the privileges are. If the circumstances are such that it is possible I will come / at the time I have named.

I am sorry that you still feel so discontented at Glendale and wish to rent the place. I should feel perfectly lost without a home, and I do not feel willing to go back to the city to live. If Sat desires she can visit in town as much as she pleases but for that simply I cannot sacrifice my own comfort and that which I consider for the benefit of the other children. If you become so discontented that is another affair, although I believe you would most seriously regret any move to town. We have no house to go to, and the expense of furnishing another house in town is more than I can afford. I did hope to find a permanent quiet home at Glendale but if it cannot be there there must be a change. When I return we will discuss this matter fully, but until then I cannot change my mind. Love to Lindy and the children and good night kisses to darling wife.    N. C. M^cL

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