I have received the postage stamps.

Head Quarters 2^nd Brig 1^st Div

Camp at Hopeville Gap Nov 11^th 1862

 

            Two welcome letters were received dear wife from you today. For several days I had been without letters and I felt very low spirited, but now that I know you are all well at home I feel much better. Your letters are full of your expected disappointment in regard to your visit to me, which I hope by this time you have determined to make at once. You must try and hope more of the future, and not despond so readily. Major Reily must have arrived on last Saturday night if he met with no detention, and he promised to see you as soon as possible after his arrival. How I have envied him his trip home, but I console myself in the hope that very shortly you will be so near that I can contrive some way to visit you if it should only be for one day. 

 

I am afraid it will be somewhat difficult for me to get to Washington as an order has lately been issued compelling every officer of whatever grade to leave the city for his regiment or command within twenty four hours or be dismissed the service. This looks as if the Government did not intend to permit officers to visit Washington atall. There will be some way however for me to get to you I am certain if you only come to Washington. Perhaps the Government found it necessary to force the officers who were opposed to the change of commanders to do their duty. I am afraid the removal of Gen^l M^cClellan will create a great dissatisfaction in the army. We have had rumors of some of the troops having thrown down their arms and refused to serve under any other General. This however has been contradicted, but yet it cannot be disguised that the order removing Gen^l M^cClellan has / been received by the whole army with great indignation, and Gen^l Burnside will have a most difficult and unpleasant position to occupy in taking M^cClellan's place. Burnside himself is popular with the army and the objection to the order goes no farther than deep indignation at the apparent injustice done to M^cClellan. Burnside is probably the most popular general we have here after M^cClellan, & would be more acceptable than any other man. The Administration must have had very strong reasons for acting as they have done and whilst I accord to their honesty of purpose I cannot agree with the course that has been pursued. I am afraid that disaster will be the result. Never since entering the service have I felt so much discouraged as for the last few days. When will this miserable strife among our high officers cease, so that the good of the country may be regarded rather than the advancement of individuals / And yet we are all looking more or less to self advancement, but I trust with this great difference. Whilst some are striving for promotion and power regardless of all things, and are even willing to sacrifice the country to gratify their ambition, there are others who seek for promotion in order that they may have a wider field to work in for their country's salvation. But time will I hope prove that all these changes will eventually work for the good of the country, and whilst my heart is heavy, I will still work on in whatever position I may be placed to the best of my abilities. When will you start? I shall be in a fever of expectation until I hear from you. How long we remain here I cannot tell, but it looks as if we were to be kept in this region to guard the gaps in the mountains, and if so I can be near you & perhaps have you with me. Bring one suit of black clothes for me in your trunk if you have room. Love to Eliza and all the children with loving kisses to darling wife—M^cLean

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