Head Quarters 2^nd Brig 1^st Div

Camp at Centerville Oct 27^th 1862

 

            We are still in camp dear wife at this dreary desolate place, with nothing in the world to interest us, more than very severe picket duty. We expect to stay here but a short time but how long that will be I cannot tell, for it seems our division is to be replaced by that of Carl Schurz and as this point is a very disagreeable one he may & probably will delay his advance here as long as possible. On yesterday Gen^l Stahel said we would move to Fairfax in two days, but it seems Gen^l Schurz intends waiting for his tents before he moves, and we must remain until relieved by him. What we are to do between now and cold weather we are ignorant of. If this war is ever going / to be finished, we certainly ought to take advantage of the next few weeks to make a forward movement. It is hard to understand why there is so much delay. If I did not have every confidence in Gen^l M^cClellan, both as it regards his military capacity and his patriotism, I should feel tempted to doubt whether our leaders intended to finish the war with much expedition. There is something behind the curtain which we cannot see, but which I am beginning to feel ought to be exposed to the view of the people. Our country cannot afford to keep up this war for the sake of gratifying the ambition of any set of men, and if anything stands in the way of this nation it should be promptly put down. But here at Centerville we absolutely know less of the movements of the army of the Potomac than you do at home. / Our knowledge of passing events is confined to that which happens in our immediate point, and of all else we are ignorant until informed by the papers. Even this source of knowledge is frequently denied to us, as for some three or four days we have not seen a paper. But what is the use of my growling in this way; it does no good, and will only make you think me more unamiable than I really am. There is some excuse for me today as I am afraid in this new arrangement of brigades I shall have to part with Capt Allen my Asst Adjutant General. He belongs to Col Smith's regiment, and he insists upon taking him along with the regiment to act as his own adjutant in the new brigade. He has the right to do so, but I was in hopes that he would not enforce his right. In this however I have been mistaken, and / the Captain has gone to Fairfax today to start the new brigade all right. Perhaps I may get him back but I fear not, and then I will be deprived of the most important officer on my staff. When to get another one as good I cannot tell. When we go to Fairfax I intend to go to Washington to see if I cannot get Capt Allen transferred from the line to the staff and have him assigned to me for duty.

 

How have been getting along since I left? Has our dear baby been well? I am afraid if you grieve too much you will make her sick, and you must keep up your courage upon her account as well as your own. What will you do between now and the time we go into winter quarters? You must not make any plans that will interfere with your coming on whenever we are fixed for the winter. I have visited you & you must return my visit. Love to Eliza and the children with loving kisses for yourself—N. C. M^cLean

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