Camp at Cedar Creek July 2^nd 1862

 

            I wrote you by Burnet dear wife who left this morning for home. It made me feel very badly to have one go directly home, whilst I am tied hand & foot and cannot move a step. Sadly I have been very homesick, and have felt more than ever how hard it is to be deprived of the happiness which can be found only at home with those we love. I console myself with the hope of being able to see you next month, which I certainly will do if it is within the bounds of possibility for me to do so with honor. Pray be contented with this promise on my part and do not distress either yourself or me by vain repinings. Nor must you as you have so often so sadly expressed it suffer alone, but make a successful effort to overcome the feeling. The more you struggle against it in the right way / the more easy will it be for you entirely to conquer in the end. Our griefs are always increased by brooding over them. So be of good cheer dear wife for my sake, so that when I do come home I may meet the same lovely good little wife that I left behind when I started.

 

            At present we are at a standstill here waiting for orders. Preparation in the way of getting information of the exact condition of all the troops seems to be going on however with great activity, and I am ordered to report two or three times a day sometimes the condition of my brigade first in regard to one thing, and then another. A large amount of provisions it is said are ordered here, enough to supply fifty thousand men with rations for fifteen days. All this indicates a large army to assemble here, and then perhaps an onward movement. When we will be ready I cannot tell, but / there ought not to be a long delay if we are to help M^cClellan or follow the enemy should he take Richmond. We are all in the dark as to the exact condition of our troops before Richmond, but for my own part I have full confidence in M^cClellan and believe that he will certainly prove in the end the correctness of every step which he has yet taken. We had rumors last night which at first seemed reliable that Richmond had been taken, but no confirmation having arrived we of course conclude that it was what we call in camp a grapevine, that is a fabrication or report invalid.

 

How much I have longed for the fall of Richmond. When that event happens, if it should be taken by assault, then surely an important change will take place in all things in regard to the war and perhaps its speedy termination. May God in his / mercy grant that this may be so. With their grand armies beaten and routed the rebels cannot contend with us as they have done heretofore, and with our immense force we can soon overrun all their territory. I am looking with great anxiety for news every day, and cannot persuade myself that it will be otherwise than good for our course. Should we meet with defeat before Richmond the war may be prolonged very much. A few days will no doubt tell the story.

 

            I send you copies of two letters which I intended to send by Burnet. He will explain what he did with the originals. I have but little hope in succeeding at Washington but will hope for the best until I know the worst. In a day or two I shall hear from Ev, and will write you what she says. My new eagles I shall not wear for a few days in the hope that the star may be the proper ornament. It is very late, everyone around has gone to bed and I hear nothing but the snoring of sleepers and the tread of the sentinel in front of the house. Love to Lindy and all the children with warm loving good night kisses to darling wife.                 N. C. M^cLean

 

 

Mountain Department

Head Quarters Gen Schenck Command

Camp at Middletown June 25^th 1862.

 

            While the President is appointing Brigadier Generals in the Volunteer service I am of opinion that no better selection for that office could be made than Colonel Nathaniel C. M^cLean 75^th Regt Ohio Vol^s now commanding the 2^nd Brigade 1^st Division in this Department.

 

            Ohio it is understood has not the full complement of officers of that grade to which the State is entitled; & Colonel M^cLean by his services already in the field & his eminent fitness has certainly established his claim to promotion.

 

            Colonel M^cLean is at the time commanding efficiently and with much credit a fine Brigade of Ohio troops, consisting of the 75^th (his own) 73^rd, 55^th, & 82^nd Regts Vol Infantry & DeBecks Battery. They are troops which were for some time under my own immediate command and yet in my own division. This has given me full opportunity to become familiar with his conduct, character & capacity as an officer. He is attentive energetic, skillful, just, intelligent & a gentleman. He not only deserved & received for his gallantry & coolness at the late battle of Cross Keys favorable mention in my own / report, but a special letter of commendation addressed to the Secretary of War which Major General Fremont has just placed in my hands. To this I desire to add my testimony in relation to his conduct at the battle at M^cDowell on the 8^th of May. Under his lead then the 75^th Ohio was one of the regiments which advanced steadily in the face of a murderous fire of musketry up the steep mountain side & forced the rebels who were in greatly superior numbers back over the ridge in spite of their reinforcements, holding the position until darkness & the exhaustion of ammunition compelled them to withdraw, and not then leaving without bringing off all our dead & wounded.

 

I do most earnestly hope that not only for his own merit but for the sake of the country & the service Colonel M^cLean may be immediately by formal nomination of the President confirmed in the position which he now fills by acting appointment, the command of a Brigade.

Rob. C. Schenck

Brig Gen^l

Com^g 1^st Divⁿ

 

 

 

 

 

Head Quarters Mountain Department

Cedar Creek 25^th June 1862.  

Hon Edwin M. Stanton

Secretary at War

Washington City

                                   

Sir

         I desire to recommend to your favorable consideration Col Nathaniel C. M^cLean now commanding a brigade in General Schencks Division of Ohio troops. Col M^cLean has been in service since September last, has on many occasions rendered valuable service, and more particularly at the battle of Cross Keys where he distinguished himself by cool and steady courage and skillful handling of the troops under his command. I would be gratified if you can find it consistent with the interest of the service to confirm him in his present position which I am confident he will fill with benefit to the army than to him only.

                                                                                   

Respectfully

J. C. Fremont

Major Gen Com^g.

SOURCES