Head Quarters 2^nd Brig 1^st Div

Camp at Bristoe Sept 28^th 1862

 

            Since I last wrote you dear wife I have been almost constantly in the saddle & of course not write to you. I was ordered to march immediately with my brigade to Bristoe and Warrenton Junction on the railroad in order to drive off a rebel force said to be there and if possible to capture some locomotives cars &c. The order was received about four oclock in the afternoon and in about one hour (taken to call in my pickets) I was in the saddle and on the march. I halted for the night when it became so dark and late as to make it necessary, and by daylight next morning was again on the road. We reached this place before dinner and after waiting for some cavalry then marched on towards / Warrenton Junction. I found that the cavalry of the enemy were hovering around me all the time but only in small parties, until I had marched to within about two and a half miles of Catlett's Station, where my advance guard of cavalry was driven back by the enemy and reported a large force of both infantry and cavalry posted in a wood immediately in my front ready to dispute my further progress. I immediately ordered up two pieces of artillery and threw some shell into the woods, and then advanced the 75^th Rgt with a line of skirmishers so as completely to cover the woods. The enemy however had left, and we pushed on after them but did not succeed in coming up with them again. They got on to the cars at Catlett's Station and left our region with great speed, stopping only a short time to set fire to the railroad bridge at Cedar River. We arrived at this bridge to extinguish the fire before / it had done much damage. Finding that the enemy had gone I encamped for the night and made my headquarters at the house of a Dr Shumate. At this house I found a large amount of stores which had been left by the 36^th Ohio upon their retreat about a month ago. Fortunately I had my wagon train along, and brought away five six wagon loads of tents shoes overcoats &c &c together with two large boxes of guns. The Quartermaster estimate the value at about $10,000 All this is saved the Government and was worth going for, even if the enemy did get off.

 

            Last night I received your letter written last Sunday and I am as anxious as you are for the time to pass rapidly by so that we can once more be together. I do not anticipate that we shall move so far away from Washington as to prevent my visiting you should you come on. You must / be sure to provide yourself with a first rate nurse so that when you do come our dear baby may not require your whole time and attention, for I shall expect a good portion of it myself. You must not permit any one to interfere with your visit if I should not be able to get leave of absence. Burnet must bring you on as I desire to see him as well as the other children. Totty must come also if possible, and I think it very hard if I am to be prevented from seeing any one of my children by the presence of any visitor. If Sat cannot without impoliteness leave on account of Miss Oglesby then she will have to remain, but you must still come on with all the rest of the family. I would not have Evy & Johny left behind on any account. I have not seen any of you now since last January, and I must not permit any opportunity to pass by for a visit /

 

I do not know as yet what arrangement I can make for you in Washington City but that must not interfere with your coming. You can go immediately to Ev's house, and make a proper arrangement afterwards. Of course we must do all things as economically as possible as there is nothing but my pay in addition to what you have at home. I am glad you are getting yourself some new dresses. You must not stint yourself in this, in the least degree. I should be mortified if my little wife was not as well dressed as any lady in the land, and you will only gratify me by consulting your own taste, and in getting a full supply, both for yourself & the children. Every time I write about home I become more and more anxious to go to you. I am tied however hand & foot, and cannot now without the orders of my superiors. This reminds me of my prospects for promotion. I am afraid / there is no chance. I received last night a copy of a letter which Gen^l Schenck dictated and signed with his left hand to the Secretary of War, in regard to my promotion. He is very kind, and favors me all that he can. I send you a copy so that you can know all that the War Dep^t have to act upon. My whole military career is traced out by the letters of approval of all the commanders under whom I have served, and if this is not enough I can do no more. I should like to meet you with a star on my shoulder, but will be too happy to meet you in almost any way to grind about the shoulder strap if the department will only let me go home. I see that Buell is at Louisville, & I hope the city is now safe. Love to your Mother Lindy and all the children with kisses for darling wife from her homesick husband,

                        N. C. M^cLean  /

 

            I have this moment received orders to fall back to Centerville so that I am getting nearer again to Washington. I open my letter to write this—

                                                                                               

N. C. M^cLean

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