Head Quarters 2^nd Brigade

Camp at Centerville Sept 25^th 1862

 

            We are still at this point dear wife although since I last wrote you we have have moved our camp about half a mile from its last position. Now I am much more pleasantly situated, having my quarters in a very good house belonging to a union man by the name of Stewart. Mrs Stewart is a relation of Gen^l Pope but does not like him. She seems to be a very nice person. They have no children so that they can spare me a room in the house without any trouble. Just now a house is much more comfortable than a tent, for this morning the weather is really cold although the sun is shining very brightly. How long we remain here is of course unknown to me but from appearances we are placed here as an advanced / guard to the defenses at Washington. It seems that the railroad to Fairfax Station is being repaired so that supplies can be sent to us more readily than by the turnpike. This would indicate somewhat a permanent station at this point, but whether to be held by us or some other troops I do not know. This point you may remember was strongly fortified by the rebels last year, and this work which they performed is enormous. On yesterday afternoon I rode around a portion of the works where my own pickets are placed, and was perfectly astonished at the extent of the fortifications. It was said by the enemies of M^cClellan that the rebels held this point with but a small body of troops, deceiving M^cClellan and holding him back, when he might have advanced if he had only chosen to advance do so, but the defenses tell a different story, for / they indicate the presence of a very large force. Today I intend to ride over the balance of the fortifications if I can find time to do so. The force which we have here at present is too small for any purpose excepting that of an advance guard, and should the enemy advance against us in strong force we must of necessity fall back on Washington. I received a letter yesterday from Col Constable written at Columbus in which he says that he has just found out that he has not been exchanged, and cannot therefore rejoin the regiment but will have to go and fight the indians, under Gen^l Pope I suppose. I pity him on account of his commander. He says that he left my blankets which were in his baggage at the Gibson House directed to John. Will you send to John at the Gibson House & take them home. I am glad that your nurse / has placed a limit to your stay at home, for if I am anywhere in the vicinity of Washington at that time you must come on. You will come however to a sad house I am afraid as poor Evy will almost grieve her life away for Kingsbury. Indeed I am not sure that you can go to Eveline's atall as from appearances Bell, and perhaps Evy will both be confined very near that time. I will however let you know beforehand. They will be glad to have you, but when such events are about to happen the house had better be clear. Perhaps I may be able to come home, which I would much prefer. I will make every effort to do so. Very soon the army must go into winter quarters or advance south, & they cannot do the latter until the Richmond army is routed. Whether M^cClellan will be able to do this effectually or not remains to be seen. Love to your Mother Lindy & the children with loving kisses to darling wife & little baby

N. C. M^cLean

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