N.B. I have found a paymaster and will today send you some money.

N. C. M^cL

 

Washington City Sept 6^th 62

            I have remained another day in this place darling wife for the sake of getting a reply to my telegraph to you, and I hope it will arrive today. Although but six miles from town yet it is very difficult to get permission to visit it. The orders from headquarters are very strict forbidding all officers and soldiers from coming here, and the provost guard is constantly arresting every one with military clothes on. As yet they have not molested me, and I have been fortunate enough to secure a permit from the Secretary of War which will enable me to go free. Yesterday I had a very short interview with Mr Stanton and told him that I needed rest. He was very polite but said that just at this moment he could not possibly spare me, but / as soon as the present emergency was over that he would let me go. I have made every possible effort dear wife to come to you, and I now give it up and must make up my mind to remain until our position here is less critical. We are indeed in a dreadful condition but I confidently hope that M^cClellan will soon bring order out of the confusion which has lately reigned here in all quarters. There is a story here which I believe is true, although I have not seen the official order which shows the state of madness into which our rulers had run. An order was made assigning permanently to Pope, Burnside & other generals here certain troops which had temporarily been taken from M^cClellan and placed under these different commanders, then leaving M^cClellan his staff, band, and I believe about a hundred men as his whole command. He immediately asked for leave / of absence until such time as his country should need his services. This was refused and they have now had to beg him to take again the command of all the forces here for the defense of Washington. The army are universal in their wish for M^cClellan as a commander and Pope & M^cDowell are despised by every one. Pope has proven himself by his official despatches a common liar and by his incompetency has almost ruined the country. As yet we cannot tell what the result will be of his campaign but even now the result thus far has been disastrous in the extreme and has cost thousands of valuable lives and hundreds of thousands of treasure. I hope most sincerely that Pope will be deprived of his command as the whole army are unwilling to fight under him. I shall look with great anxiety for the news from Cincinnati this morning. I am very much afraid that there is not / force enough there to make such a defense on the other side of the river as will save the city from destruction. How heartily I wish now that I could be there with my brigade. We do not number many but then we have had experience and I know that my men will fight desperately. When will these troubles end so that we can once again be at peace. All these present troubles do not discourage me or make me feel atall uncertain as to the result, but on the contrary make me feel more determined than ever to work on to the last for our glorious country. I will not be discouraged by a dozen Popes & M^cDowells, but will cling to the flag as long as I have breath in my body. The north has not been roused, and if Pennsylvania could only be slightly invaded it would produce such a tumult as must crush this rebellion out in a short time. I will write you upon every opportunity, and you must continue to write to me

 

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as usual directed to the brigade. Ev & all send much love to you. Give my love to your Mother and Lindy & the children & warmest love & kisses for darling wife.

N. C. M^cLean

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