How is baby's cold? Keep her well or

you cannot travel.

 

Head Quarters 2^nd Brig 1^st Div

Camp at Centerville Nov 1^st /62

 

            Our orders today dear wife look like an advance but when we are actually under way, then & then only will it be certain that we are really going forward. We are ordered to be ready to march by eight oclock tomorrow morning with five days rations. Now to one who had never had any experience in military matters, it would seem positively certain that we at eight oclock tomorrow would certainly march, but I have learned by experience that an order to be ready to march at a certain hour is not by any means an order to march at that hour. We are compelled to be all ready but do not march without another order, and that order I do not believe will come before day after tomorrow / and perhaps not then. Our movements on this line I think will depend altogether upon the advance of M^cClellan. If he should delay, or be forced to stop or be driven back we cannot advance beyond where we are, nor indeed do I believe we can even remain at this point without receiving reinforcements. We will see tomorrow how near right I am in regard to our movements. On yesterday afternoon our cavalry had a fight with the cavalry of the enemy near Aldie, in which as near as I can learn, the rebels at first had the advantage, driving in our pickets, and capturing quite a large number of our men, but afterwards the rebels in their turn were driven back with some loss. We heard the cannon although the engagement was a good distance from us. Today at intervals we have heard artillery which seemed to be a long way off in the direction of a portion of the army of M^cClellan. It / may have been Burnside. I hope it was and that he has driven the rebels before him rapidly. I suspect our marching orders have been given so as to be all ready to render aid at the right moment.

 

            Tonight we had an arrival in camp from near home. Mrs Friend with her and Mr & Mrs Fox & their son. The Captain got leave to go to Washington City several days ago to meet his wife, and tonight he has brought her out to camp. I envy him the pleasure he must have in seeing his wife, but I feel sorry that it promises to be of such short duration. Just think tomorrow morning at eight oclock they may have to separate again. Such a visit is hardly worth having, and yet I am afraid I should be willing to have even that if I could get no better. Mrs Friend should have come on several weeks ago and then she might / have had a nice long visit. Mrs Hart has been more fortunate. She has been with her husband quite a long time, and will be better satisfied than Mrs Friend can possibly be. Neither of these ladies will go on with us, but will go back when we march. Mrs Hart thinks perhaps she may remain at Fairfax if she can find a suitable place, but as she is alone I think if I were her husband I would send her to Washington City. It would be different if there were other army ladies with her, or even if she were in a nice family, where there were ladies. I think the army a bad place for ladies on the march, or when there is danger of an attack. If you were here & an attack should come, I am afraid I should become a bad soldier in my fears for you. When you come on I will try & have you in a safe place. Direct your letters to me as usual for if we move they will be forwarded. I got two letters last night. Love to Eliza & the children and more than I can express to my darling wife. M^cLean

SOURCES