Head Quarters 1^st Division 11^th Army Corps

Brooks Station Jany 20^th 1863

 

              We have moved at last dear wife as you see from the heading of my letter. I did not write to you last night for two reasons. One was because I knew that I would have no opportunity of sending a letter when we were on the march, and the other was that I was kept so busy that I had no time to write. Just at supper time I received an order to march at five oclock next morning, and to report in person immediately to headquarters for particular instructions. This I did as soon as my horse could be got ready and did not return until bed time. Then I had to write my orders for the different brigades and batteries of artillery & make all my arrangements for the march which consumed / a great part of my sleeping time. At last however I got to bed hoping to be able to get two or three hours sleep, but I could not sleep so readily as usual, and before I had succeeded in getting to sleep here came another order changing the time of marching from five to three oclock in the morning. I received it after one oclock, and then all orders had to be written once again. You can imagine that in this way I was entirely deprived of my sleep. My orders were to send one brigade with a battery to Belle Plain, three regiments with four pieces of artillery to Aquia Creek landing one regiment with two pieces of artillery to the Potomac Creek railroad bridge and my last regiment to this point Brooks Station. All of these orders have been executed and you may imagine that I have been kept pretty busy. My orders were to make my headquarters at this point / which I have accordingly done and I am writing you from a room in one of the oldest fashioned houses that I have seen in Virginia. It has been entirely deserted by its owner and much injured by the soldiers during the war. It is however much more comfortable than a tent, and I am thankful to get into it. Every room was already occupied by the officer in command when I arrived, but he has very kindly given me two rooms for my use, and we are comparatively comfortable, or at least will be on tomorrow I hope in all our domestic arrangements, that is if we are permitted to stay here. You will see by a look at the map that we have been placed as a guard upon the line of railroad from Aquia Creek to Falmouth, and the landing at Belle Plain, in order to prevent a raid by the enemy which might cut off our means / of furnishing supplies to the Army of the Potomac. It is to be hoped that the move which Genl Burnside is supposed even now to be making will render unnecessary so heavy a force for such a purpose at this point. Tomorrow probably will see either a retreat on the part of the enemy or a great battle. Who can tell what the result may be. You need not be alarmed about me, for we are too far off to take any part in the battle if it should come off unless it lasts several days. The army is to attempt the crossing perhaps before daylight tomorrow morning and I shall listen with anxiety for the sound of the cannon. Oh that God in his mercy may help our cause and strike down this rebellion by a decisive blow on tomorrow. Genl Stahel came to see me this afternoon. Genl Shurz has been to Washington and caused such an influence to be exerted upon the President

 

[sideways overwritten]

 

as to procure his appointment to the command of the 11^th Corps instead of Genl Stahel. I told Stahel several days ago that Schurz would do this if he could but he did not believe it, and the result shows that I was right. Stahel declares that he will never take the command of his division again, but will resign unless justice is done him. This change will be very disagreeable for me and as soon as possible I will procure a change of my command. Stahel is still in command as Sigel has refused to issue the command until he receives official notice of the order in the usual / way. It may come tomorrow. I am thoroughly disgusted at this matter and will better myself as soon as possible. Love to Ev, Tottie, Bessie & loving good night kisses to darling wife—N. C. M^cLean

SOURCES