Washington City Sept 14^th 1862

 

            I came into the city today dear wife in the hope that I would receive another letter from you, as your last came through Col Taylor. I was disappointed however and must return without hearing from you. I received your letter with the prettiest little lock of hair I ever saw. How can you wish it to be any other color. I would not have it changed for any consideration, and I hope baby will be like you in all respects. I suppose before this you have received my letter giving her a name. I called her Louise after you. You prefer to call her after your mother and I do not blame you for there are very few who have such a mother, but although I love her very much, yet she will not blame me for loving her daughter more and I confess I should like to hear our / first daughter called after you. We will settle this matter dear wife when we meet, which I hope will be in a few weeks. I would give almost anything to be with you now, but it seems to be impossible at present. I cannot get leave of absence and you are not strong enough to come to me. Time will pass rapidly now, however, and if you will only have patience, and keep from over exertion, and exposure, we can soon be happy together. At present I am encamped near Falls Church in the outpost some nine miles from Washington City. The enemy seems to be near us at present. All the troops of the confederates seem to have crossed the Potomac and M^cClellan is after them with a splendid army, whilst our army corps with others are left on the other side of the river to defend this city from any possible attack which might be made in this / supposed absence of all of our army with M^cClellan We have but little news from M^cClellan, but today I heard from what seemed to be good authority that Burnside who is in the advance had met the army of Jackson and had an engagement in which our troops had been successful and had driven the rebels some seven miles and only stopped the pursuit on account of the night. It is evident the rebels are retreating and I pray that M^cClellan may be able to overtake them and force a battle. Would it not be glorious news to hear that the armies of Jackson & Lee had been totally defeated & perhaps destroyed? Such an event would tend to shorten this war. I am now however more concerned about Cincinnati than Washington. I went to the War Department the other day and asked if I could but be made use of at home, to better / advantage than here, but it would not do, they would not hear of my leaving my command at this place. I expected to hear that Burnet had joined in the defense of Cincinnati and I should have been ashamed of him if he had not. He has not disappointed me, and I know that he will do his duty in the field wherever he may be placed. I do regret that he has joined the company he has, for you know I have not a very high opinion of its commander, but no matter, he can do his part there as well as elsewhere and when this struggle is over I expect to be proud of him for the part he has taken. You are left by this time alone, and this is all that I regret but dear wife it cannot be avoided and you will now that our dear little baby is home be more contented than before. Besides we shall shortly be together for a short time at least / and perhaps permanently if success should crown our efforts here and at the west. I sent you on the 6^th ins^t by mail from this place a check on the Treasury of the United States for $700— payable to your own order, which I hope you have safely received ere this. This sum will give you all the money you need for the present and you must save enough to pay your way to this place if I should remain here. Next month there will be another month due me which I can draw, if I can get leave to come to you. It is possible that we may be ordered to march to the support of M^cClellan, or to cut off the retreat of the confederates when they attempt to recross the Potomac, but we are literally in the dark, and know no more of what we are to do than you do. At present it does not / seem as if we could be spared from the other side of the river, and if we move other troops must first be ordered to take our place. When does your nurse say that you will be able to travel? You must be careful not to make the attempt too soon so that you may be sure of no unfortunate result. Two weeks have now passed and the time will pass before you know it. I hope you may not have any trouble with your breast and you will not if you are properly cared for. Above all things secure a careful competent nurse for baby Louise after your present nurse leaves you. Perhaps you might induce her to remain with you for some considerable time at reduced wages & if you can and like her well enough I would do so, even paying her much more than an ordinary nurse. I hope that Tot has returned ere this as I prefer you should be all together during this danger to Cintⁱ. I hope your mother has not gone home

 

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as I am afraid you cannot do without her good care. I should like of all things to name baby after her if I had not such a darling wife to name her for. Direct to me as usual and your letters will now reach me in our regular mails. As I am nine miles from town I cannot come in very often. Ev and all hers send love to you and the children and your Mother & Lindy. Give my love to them all with loving kisses to darling wife & little baby.

                                                           

N. C. M^cLean

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