Head Quarters 2^nd Brigade 1^st Division

Camp at Sperryville July 25^th 1862

 

            The mail of last night dear wife brought me three letters from you and one from Eliza directed by you. They were welcome visitors, and were brought by the first regular mail that has arrived for a long time. During the day on yesterday a letter came to me from you by Gen^l Sigel's mail brought by a courier, so that I really received four letters from you in one day. I had been without for so long that they did not seem half enough. Tonight I hope the mail will bring me another letter, that is if they really have made the proper arrangements to transport it, which I somewhat doubt. No mail has yet arrived for the men, only a few letters for the general officers and their staffs. This is all wrong and has created great dissatisfactions among the men. There is nothing that can compensate a soldier / for the loss of the mail. He can do without all things else except letters from home. As yet I have heard nothing from Washington. It is exceedingly strange as I have written several letters to Ev asking an answer, & wishing to know what she had done. It may be that the mails are at fault but I can scarcely believe that this can be the reason now as letters were received here last night from Washington. I have determined to make one more effort to get an answer from her, by sending a letter all the way to Washington by the first officer who goes there. Some opportunity will certainly occur in a few days. I feel very much annoyed by her silence, and would prefer to hear the whole truth in regard my letters, than to rest in this way in the dark. Burnet brought me back word that Gen^l Pope must be applied to, and from all that I have heard in the last few days about his arrogance, I am very sure that my applications to him for the promotion / of an officer not educated at West Point would be treated with contempt. Pope has already snubbed Gen^l Schenck in a most unmilitary and ungentlemanly manner, and I therefore judge that a letter from Schenck would do more harm than good. What a shame it is that officers cannot do their duty without trampling under their feet those who happen to be their inferiors in rank. At present I feel very much disposed to regret that Pope has been placed in command here, but perhaps a future experience may induce me to change my mind. Today I have heard that Gen^l M^cDowell is at a small place called Washington only six miles from here, and if upon inquiry I find this to be true, I will perhaps on tomorrow make him a visit. You may remember that I met him in Washington last summer at Ev's house with his wife. Perhaps like other army officers my intercourse with him now might not be so unpleasant as / he ranks me so very far and might a la Pope put on airs. As I am situated now my intercourse with my superior officers is very agreeable. With Gen^l Schenck I am always received as an intimate friend without any ceremony whatsoever, and with Gen^l Sigel my intercourse although not intimate is perfectly agreeable.

 

            I have an opportunity of sending this letter by a messenger to Warrenton who is now at the door of my tent waiting to start. Love to Lindy & all the children & loving kisses to darling wife

N. C. M^cLean

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