Head Quarters 2^nd Brig 1^st Div

Camp at Sperryville Aug 2nd 1862

 

            The month has fairly commenced dear wife in which I hope once more to see you at home. I shall make my application now very soon so as to be sure to get an answer by the time I desire to leave. Tonight I feel much depressed however, since reading the order of the Secretary of War in regard to absent officers and soldiers dated July 31^st. This looks as if they had determined that no officers or men should leave the army upon any pretext when able to do duty. By this order all absentees no matter by whose permission (always excepting that of the Secretary of War) must return by the 10^th day of August to their regiments or commands, and any officers or soldiers who shall be absent from a muster to be made on the 18^th day of August shall be dismissed from the service as a deserter, his pay stopped &c. The only excuses to be received for a violation of this order to be present at the muster are, 1^st permission from the War Department. / 2^nd Disability from wounds received in the service. 3^rd Disability from disease. And no one who is able to go to a watering place, visit socially, or walk about the town or neighborhood where he may be is to be considered too sick to do duty.

 

Whether the Secretary of War will consider my reason for going home a good one or not, I cannot tell, but I will make my application to him in the strongest terms and bring to bear upon him the best influence I can. Ev I have no doubt can help me in this in some way or other, but I am very much troubled about my not as yet having heard one single word from her in any shape since Burnet left. Why she does not answer my letters I cannot tell. I fear that she must either have left the city or else be sick. I intend next week to inquire by telegraph whether she is still at Washington from the Col or some one in his department so as to know if possible why she has so entirely neglected my letters. It has not been kind of her to do so, if she is still at home. I feel confident however that there must be some good / reason for her silence other than the dislike to tell me that I have no chance for promotion. Gen^l Pope is said now to be within seven or eight miles of our camp, and we may look for him here any day. At present although our orders to be ready to march at one hours notice with ten days rations are still in force, yet there is no sign of a march. We may therefore remain at or very near our present camp for days and weeks for aught I know to the contrary. Gen^l Sigel has today gone as far as Madison Court House to examine the country with a view no doubt to making an advance of some ten or fifteen miles forward, but I have at present no idea that the army will attempt any serious combined movement until perhaps the new regiments get into the field. If not we will probably be kept in this valley watching the enemy and waiting for Gen^l M^cClellan to make another attack. We badly need more troops in the field so that when we next make an advance it shall be so decisive that everything like rebellion / will be crushed out forever. I see by the papers that the government have determined to resort to drafting unless volunteers turn out in sufficient numbers, some time in August? This will stir up the people no doubt to greater efforts, particularly those who have set their faces against the war. I know that unfortunately we have too many traitors of this class among us and it would really give me pleasure to see such fellows forced in to the service. You must see by this time dear wife that I have done wisely in coming forward in the beginning. I had like to have forgotten to tell you that on yesterday we had another little pleasant scene which entertained our camp not a little. A few of Gen^l Schenck's friends myself among the number united together and purchased him an elegant sword and the presentation came off yesterday afternoon. I was requested to read the presentation letter, which of course I did in the best way I knew how after making a very few remarks. The Gen^l replied in a very happy little speech, and we were all pleased. No doubt

 

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the newspapers will give an account of the matter. I saw two reporters present. I have not been perfectly well for three or four days and therefore did not feel like making even a little speech but all things considered it went off well enough. I received your letter containing the printed description which I suppose you hardly claimed for me. How men can be so stupid I cannot conceive.

 

Remember me to Miss Oglesby & give my love to Lindy & all the children & good night with loving kisses dear wife from one who would give anything to give them personally           N. C. M^cLean

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