Head Quarters 2^nd Brig 1^st Div

Camp at Centerville Oct 29^th 1862

 

            I received your first letter dear wife last night. It was very welcome and relieved the anxiety which I was beginning to feel at not hearing from you. I expected that baby would be a little sick, because her food would not be so good for her whilst you were so distressed. I have never felt so gloomy before, as I did on leaving home, and there is nothing here to relieve me. I am compelled to remain at this post for fear of an attack, but with little or nothing to do out doors which might divert or occupy me. At present during the absence of Capt Allen, and until I can supply his place, if he should remain permanently with Col Smith, I have plenty of office work to keep / me constantly occupied. This sort of business is not to my fancy. I much prefer handling troops in the field, to writing orders in an office.

 

            Dr Hart has just come in with a request to go to Fairfax CH in order to select quarters for his wife who has been here for some little time, and has made up her mind to remain during the winter if the brigade should go into winter quarters at Fairfax. She has no children and can therefore very readily accommodate herself to such quarters as can be procured. I have seen her but once and therefore cannot tell you much about her. She boards with the family in the house and does not show herself much. I am in hopes that we can raise quite a number of officers wives for the winter, so that if you should come on it will not be quite so desolate as it might otherwise be. /

 

            Capt Friend has just come for a pass to go to Washington City to meet his wife who is coming on with Mr & Mrs Fox of Lackland, to make him a visit. I envy him the pleasure and hope before long to be so situated as to make the same trip to meet you. I do not know how we can arrange for Evy & Johny in regard to their schools. If was a little nearer Washington we could place them there at school very well, and I could visit you very often; as perhaps they might stay with Ev for a while. We will in some way fix the matter so that we can be together if the Government only determines to suspend active operations for the winter.

 

            How does your new man get along? I am afraid he will need at first to be instructed a good deal in his duty. The expense of bringing out / his family amounting to six dollars I promised to pay for him if he succeeded in pleasing you. This of course is in addition to his wages. I hope you will find him trusty so that the place can be left in his charge when you go away. When you leave the better way would probably be to have his family move into the house, so as to save house rent for him and as much servants here for us as possible, for no doubt we will need all we have for the winter expenses here. Cheer up then dear wife and look out for brighter days when we will soldier together. As yet we have no news about war matters, not having seen a newspaper for several days. Perhaps one may arrive today. Love to Eliza and the children with loving and warm kisses to darling wife, which I hope before very long to give in person.

                                                                                                                       

N. C. M^cL

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