Head Quarters 2^nd Brig 1^st Div

Camp at Chantilly Nov 26^th 1862

 

            Last night dear wife after having gone to bed I was wakened to receive two letters from you. The latest date was the 21^st giving the welcome news of babys decided improvement. I felt most happy after reading your letter and feel confident that our prayers for dear baby's recovery will be answered. I know that you will bestow every possible care upon her and therefore I rest easy, for all that she requires I hope is good nursing. If she improves rapidly I shall still hope to see you with Major Reily. I do not like to have you lose so good an opportunity, and if without risk you can do so, I hope you will come on with him. If not, then the first good chance you / get you must certainly not let it pass, but even submit to some inconvenience rather than not embrace it. My desire to see you now is it seems to me greater than ever & I cannot think with any patience upon the prospect of not having you with me when we are within reach of each other. It will not do however to risk the life of our dear baby & I will even give up your visit if it is necessary for her sake. I will do this however with great reluctance and not unless I am entirely convinced that it is absolutely necessary. After she recovers I do not see why she cannot be taken with perfect safety in the cars, if you are only careful. She can be kept perfectly warm, no matter how cold the weather may be, and unless you should meet with some unfortunate accident can be carried in the cars with as / safety almost as in the house. Do not let me persuade you however too much. You must be the judge and I will be satisfied with your decision. Only remember how happy it would make me to have once more my own darling wife with me.

 

            I wish you were here now today. The weather is pleasantly cool, with a bright warm sun. I have commenced brigade drill again and you no doubt would enjoy the sight of so many troops moving in battle order. The men seem to enter into the drill with spirit, and if I can only get them perfect in their evolutions it will be of great benefit in time of actual conflict.

 

            At present we have no news with us. All seems to be perfectly quiet in our front, and you would not suppose from all that you can hear that there was any enemy / in the country. We are always however on the alert so as to prevent a surprise. Jackson it is said has gone to join Lee at Richmond leaving only a small cavalry force near Winchester and if so, this will leave us nothing to do, but to wait for the grand battle by Burnside. Every day we are expecting to hear great news, but it does not come. Winter quarters will soon become a necessity unless we march forward south, and this we cannot do until the rebel army is beaten and driven before us. I hear nothing from Washington in regard to  my promotion. In my telegraph to you from Fairfax Court House on the 23^rd inst I requested you to send on by express to the care of Col Taylor my commission and all papers connected with it. I mean my appointment by Fremont, my commission, certificate of muster from Capt Wilson, and any other papers relating to it which you can find. A question of rank has arisen which

 

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makes it necessary for me to have these papers immediately. I have received no answer to my telegraph and suppose it has not reached you. Please send the papers at once by express writing me word that you have done so. Love to Eliza & the children with kisses for baby and warm loving ones for darling wife

N. C. M^cLean

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