Head Quarters 2^nd Brigade 1^st Divⁿ

Camp at Luray July 9^th 1862

 

            Again dear wife I am in my tent and on the march. As I wrote you in my last we were ordered to march first at 6 & then at 4½ AM, and we accordingly marched on the 7^th at the hour indicated. The day was excessively hot, and the men suffered from the extreme heat. Many in the German brigade now attached to Schencks division were stricken down on the march with the heat, and three of them died. The next day we marched at the same hour from Front Royal our first stopping ground, and by dinner time we stopped at a place called Milford. The men were so exhausted that I caused the officers to order the men to stack arms as soon as we stopped & throw themselves down under the shade of some trees where they rested for several hours, until they recovered somewhat from the effects of the heat. We fortunately were encamped / very near to the South Branch of the Shenandoah river, and late in the afternoon a large proportion of the men went into the water and enjoyed a good bath. I went into the water myself, and do not know that I have ever felt more refreshed from a bath than I was by that one. This morning the 1^st Brigade marched at 3 oclock & I marched at 4 oclk. The day has been intensely hot, and the poor soldiers have suffered most intensely. It is really cruel to march as we are compelled to at this time, but I have no choice, as I am compelled to obey orders. Gen^l Schenck is not with us at present and has not been since we left Fort Royal. When we reached that point General Sigel was called to Washington and placed his command in the hands of Gen^l Schenck. The General then in his turn left the command of his division in the charge of Col Von Amesbury of Gen^l Stahel brigade, he being my senior in rank and the commander of that brigade (Gen^l Stahel) being absent at Washington City. Gen^l Schenck is expected to join us tomorrow / or next day. Tonight all the troops here at this point are under the command of Gen^l Milroy who reached here in the advance with his brigade this morning. The Gen^l is the same as ever, full of vigor and fight and anxious to meet an enemy. This town is a small place beautifully situated on rolling ground in a valley between two ridges of mountains. The houses are old and dilapidated and look as if the people were devoid of all energy. They are intensely secesh we are informed, and the women say that we will march back faster than we came in. This is merely to express their hate. I have not met with anything of this kind myself for everyone has treated me at least with politeness. We shall probably march from here tomorrow but as yet I have not received marching orders. It is now nearly ten oclock, and I expect nothing else, but that I will receive marching orders, probably about twelve oclock for three in the morning. We in this / way manage very often to turn night into day, very much to our discomfort. It all depends upon Gen^l Milroy as we are ordered to follow him in his march. As yet I have not received a single line from Eveline in reply to my letter sent her by Burnet. It is very strange, but perhaps the mail is to blame, for I am told that communication by letter with Washington City is very slow and uncertain. I am afraid my promotion will not come or the powers that be are too much exercised by the danger of our situation before Richmond to even think of such small fry as myself. I confess the promotion would gratify me on more than one account but if it does not come it will not cause me much pain. As a Brigadier I have no doubt it would be easier to get leave of absence and on this account I particularly desire to have it. I must wait patiently for the moving of the waters however. I write this not

 

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because there is a mail going but merely to show you that I always write whenever I can. In my tent I can write but without tent or baggage I cannot do it. I will send this by the first carrier that I hear of who returns to civilization in this region of mails. Love to Lindy, Nell, Charlie and the children and loving good night kisses to darling wife—

                                                                                                                       

N. C. M^cLean

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