Head Quarters 2^nd Brig 1^st Div

Camp at Harrisons Farm Nov 15^th /62

 

            I have determined to write to you once more dear wife at Glendale although I hope you will have left there for Washington before my letter reaches its destination. Perhaps however you may be detained longer than I expect and I will continue to write until I receive your first letter after the arrival of Major Reily. He must have reached home so as to see you on last Wednesday the 12^th ins^t and I ought to receive a letter from you written after his arrival by next Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest. I shall wait with great impatience for its receipt, in order that I may know your plans and movements. I am a little afraid that the Major may be detained longer than I anticipated, but I must not scold if he is even a little slow on this occasion, for I am inclined / to believe that under the same circumstances I should not break my neck to get back. The Major will no doubt meet with some difficulty in fulfilling his mission, so that you will have ample time to make all your arrangements complete before leaving. If however he should be detained longer than suits you and you can find a suitable party to come on with you need not wait for him. When I can see you after your arrival I cannot say just now, but no doubt an opportunity will present itself very soon. After your arrival at Washington you must make yourself comfortable and wait for me. You might telegraph me when you start and address your despatch to me at Gainesville. It would be forwarded to me by an orderly wherever I might be. As soon however as you arrive at Washington Ev will find some means of letting me know you have come and then as soon as possible I will visit you. 

 

            I have this moment received an order to keep five days rations on hand all the time. Two days in haversacks and three days in wagons. This looks like preparation for marching and yet I cannot see how it will be possible to move our corps very far until all the rebel army has left the other side of the Blue Ridge. So long as the enemy have any force there atall we must have a corresponding force on this side of the Blue Ridge to watch the various gaps in the mountains and prevent an attack upon the rear of our army during its advance. We may however march across Bull Run Mountain so as to take position at the Gaps of the Blue Ridge. Who can tell where or when we are to go? Our future movements are all involved in mystery as far as my knowledge of them is concerned. Do not let this deter you from coming on, for you will at least be nearer to me than at present, / and with you in Washington it will be hard to keep me away all winter. All our officers seem to think that we are to have a full winters campaign but I have my doubts. It does very well to talk that way now when the weather is clear mild and beautiful, but wait until the cold weather really begins and I believe all parties will be glad to stop until spring. Now is the time to advance and I cannot understand how our generals have permitted so much time to pass in what seems almost to be criminal inactivity. Time will tell the story at last, but to me it appears as if already we had lost the best of the fighting season.

 

You have not said anything more about getting John & Mildred to live at Glendale during your absence. I think it would be a good plan and save them house rent, and us to some extent various house expenses. Love to Eliza and all the children and loving kisses to darling little wife

M^cLean

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