Head Quarters 1^st Division 11^th Corps

Brooks Station Jany 25^th 1863

 

              Two letters from you today dear wife which make up for some omissions. Your letters have made me more anxious than ever to run up and see you. I saw today both Genl Stahel & Genl Sigel in regard to my visit to Washington and I think in a few days they will let me go. It will only be for a day or two however, as the War Department is getting very strict in regard to the absence of officers from their commands. Genl Sigel says that he has received an order to report the name of every officer who may be absent at any time to the War Department. This I suppose is intended to check the growing evil of absenteeism from the army. It will interfere I am afraid with my visits materially unless I can manage in / some way to get around it. If we are to stay here I feel greatly tempted to try and make this old house habitable for you, so as not to be troubled with leaves of absence, and yet I fear you would soon become very tired of our life here. There is literally nothing to amuse and interest any one outside of the military routine. My duties keep me busy either in the office or in visiting the troops at different points, but for you there would be nothing but staying in the house dreary and uncomfortable all the time. To be sure you might when the weather was fine ride out if you had your saddle and a riding habit, but as you have neither, I do not see what you can do. We will however talk over the whole matter when I come up, and I suppose both articles can be obtained in Washington. You ought to have a good warm cloth riding habit at any rate whether / whether you come out here or not. As yet I really know nothing positive of the intention of Genl Burnside but from all that I hear it would seem perfectly impossible for him to advance just now. The roads are more formidable than the enemy. Any considerable distance from the railroad our troops would starve and unless it is decided to cross at the old place directly in front of the town of Fredericksburg, we must move our troops a considerable distance from the railroad before making the attack. The attempt for the present has proved a failure and all the troops are going back to their old camping grounds with the exception of our corps. I suppose that we would also if Genl Slocum had not occupied our former position. I much prefer our present camping ground as we are directly on the railroad and / will therefore have no difficulty in obtaining supplies.

 

              I have been selfish enough to feel very happy over your letters today, although certainly not willing that our dear little Bessie should suffer by being sent to your mother. No dear wife I know too well that no matter how strong your love may be for me you could not be happy absent from little Bessie, and neither would I feel contented to leave so young a child to any other care than your own. If she were only two or three years old I should feel very differently and would have you with me without any encumbrances. Never mind we will get along very well and manage some way or other to get together and I hope before long. Love to Ev and her family, Tottie, Bessie and darling wife with loving kisses which I hope soon to give in person.                          

M^cLean

SOURCES