Head Quarters 2^nd Brig 1^st Div

Camp at Stafford C.H. Jany 6^th 1863

 

            Yesterday dear wife I rode over to the front opposite Fredericksburg. Everything there seemed very quiet and excepting that everywhere there were soldiers, one could hardly be persuaded that two hostile armies were stationed within easy cannon range of each other. The river is all that intervenes. With a glass you can easily see the troops of the enemy and their entrenchments. How long will this quiet continue? On our side something should be done in order to carry on the glorious work begun by Rosecrans. We are told that in a few days our course will be decided upon, and as it has been ever since our defeat I pray that wisdom will prevail in our Generals so that our next move may be victorious. / I witnessed on yesterday a grand review by Gen^l Burnside of Gen^l Stonemans Corps. About twenty thousand troops turned out they say, although the number did not seem so great to me. The soldiers looked well, and able to do hard fighting. No doubt the rebels participated in the sight as they could easily do, with good glasses.

 

            I saw Hancock and dined with him. Tell Ev that he was in excellent health and spirits. I expect to go over again tomorrow or next day for the purpose of going up in the balloon. I would have made the trip upward yesterday but the balloon was not in complete order and I preferred to wait until all things should be in perfect working order. I expect to have a complete vision of all / the rebel defenses, and perhaps of their troops. How strange it seems to be so very near and yet to have such perfect quiet.

 

Here at Stafford there is absolutely nothing doing. Gen^l Stahel has not yet received his promotion, or his appointment to the command of the Corps. It is very strange and I am afraid there is a screw loose somewhere. Mr Stanton told me that the order for his appointment had gone to Burnside, and on yesterday Gen^l Burnside told me that no such order had been received by him. Where the delay is, I cannot tell, but evidently something is wrong. Gen^l Sigel returns on next Saturday and then no doubt the affair will be settled. I am anxious that this matter should be arranged before we make any movement, so that each commander may have an / opportunity of getting his troops in proper order before he is required to fight with them. We have in camp all sorts of rumors in regard to the change in the commander of the army of the Potomac. Fremont has even been suggested, but I should utterly despair if he was appointed. My own opinion is that Gen^l Burnside will retain the command and make a forward movement, with a much better chance of success than before.

 

            In the account of the battle by Rosecrans I see that Nick Anderson has been wounded in the thigh. I hope most sincerely that his wound is slight. I shall look with great anxiety for a more particular account. I think it possible that I have found out the owner of Bull Run from one of my Lieutenants who was taken prisoner at Bull Run and has just returned. The name of the officer was Lt Col M^cLean. He was killed I believe. I intend writing to his wife at Reading Penn^a.

 

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I hope you and baby have by this time entirely recovered. Love to Ev & her family and to Tottie & Bessie with loving kisses to darling wife

N. C. M^cLean

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