Head Quarters 2^nd Brig 1^st Div

Camp at Sperryville Aug 5th 1862

 

            We are still here dear wife and will probably remain for at least three days longer. On yesterday morning Gen^l Sigel, Gen^l Schenck and myself rode over to see Gen^l Pope who has his headquarters near the little town of Washington some eight miles from here. We remained an hour or two and then returned. The day was excessively warm and our ride was not therefore as pleasant as it would have been in cooler weather. Gen^l Pope discussed his plans for his advance movement very freely, which he intends to make in the course of a week unless something should interfere to prevent. We expect to advance some eighteen or twenty miles near to Madison Court House and there form a line of operations extending to Culpepper which is already in our possession / The best laid plans will oft go wrong, however, and so may those of Gen^l Pope. Yesterday was my second visit to him. On the day before I rode over to try and get permission to run down to Washington City on some business of the brigade with the intention at the same time of applying personally to Mr Secretary Stanton for leave of absence the last of this month. I have not been very well for the last few days although not too unwell to perform all my duties, and I made this one reason for granting the few days absence at Washington City. The Gen^l however positively refused to permit me to go to Washington, at the same time saying that in order to recruit I might go to Warrenton Springs or anywhere else within his lines that I pleased without leave. To this I had to submit, but shall remain with the brigade as my object in going away was to get to Washington City. Under the late order from the War Department no leaves of / absence can be granted excepting from Washington as I wrote you some days ago, and as you have no doubt seen in this from the published order. The trouble now will be to get at Mr Stanton with the proper influences, and I am using all possible means to accomplish this object. Fortunately for me Chris Morgan is one of Gen^l Pope's aids with the rank of Colonel, and on yesterday I had a little private talk with him in regard to my going home and he has promised to have Gen^l Pope approve of my application on its way to Washington City. I think he must have influence enough with Pope to do this or he would not have made the promise in so positive a manner. With Genl's Schenck & Sigel I will have no difficulty, but on the contrary they will aid me in every possible way. If I can only contrive to get personally to Washington I have little doubt of success, but if I cannot accomplish this, I must get some friend there to intercede / personally for me. I do not despair dear wife of seeing you this month and you must keep up your spirits, relying upon my working in every honorable way to accomplish that which I have so much at heart. I shall not apply for my leave of absence to commence until after the 18^th of this month as on that day you remember we are to have a grand muster. This will give me time enough to reach home, not as soon as I desire but before you will actually need me. The paymaster has not yet come round so that I cannot relieve you at present, but I hope to be able to bring some money when I return. This morning I had the Brigade out for drill under Gen^l Sigel's personal supervision, and he was pleased to speak well of our performance. Everything goes on very smoothly with me here and I have the best brigade & the pleasantest so far as I know in the army. Love to all the children & loving Kisses to darling wife. N. C. M^cL

SOURCES