Head Quarters 1^st Division 11^th Army Corps

Brooks Station Jany 27^th 1863

 

              It is bed time dear wife, but I must write to you although late, and in no humor to make myself agreeable. Last night at this time I certainly anticipated that some time today I would get permission to visit you at Washington, but on the contrary Genl Stahel says that I cannot go just yet, but must wait here until these changes in the command are settled. This is provoking especially as he intimates that I will probably have to move from here, and thus be compelled to give up my present quarters. This however is not certain, and in changing it is by no means certain that I might not get a more comfortable place. It is evident that any change in this region now can only be for winter quarters, as a forward movement seems for the present to be / entirely abandoned. The change in our corps I have no doubt is definitely settled between the parties, and they only wait the action of the Senate in confirming both Stahel and Schurz to carry it out. Should this be done by the Senate, Schurz is to command the 11^th Corps and Stahel is to have a large cavalry command. This to me is objectionable, and the worst of it is I have no remedy that I see which will avail me. You know that I have asked to have Col Smith's brigade in place of my German one, and they have refused to act in the matter until Steinwehr should either return or conclude to stay away. With tomorrow the 28^th Steinwehr's leave expires, and it remains to be seen whether he will return. I am afraid my wishes will not be regarded in this although it has been promised to me. Two Colonels in Schurz division have been nominated through his influence by the President to the Senate as Brigadier Generals and / should they be confirmed I have little doubt that Schurz in arranging his corps will give them superior commands to myself, should there be a choice. I do not think that he would hesitate to take our brigade from me in order to give a division to either of the others. In this however I may be mistaken. I feel blue tonight and perhaps look on the dark side, but I cannot well help it, for I think there is enough in the situation of our army here to make any one having the welfare of the country at heart very desponding. Everything seems undecided. Burnside, Sumner & Franklin all have left it is said, and what other changes are to take place no one can tell. I know very little of Genl Franklin. He has the reputation of being a good soldier, but many doubt his capacity to manage an army like this. So many changes indicate weakness. We seem to be struggling in the dark. Groping our way without / knowledge sufficient to enable us to shun fatal dangers. Thus look at our own corps. A mere politician made at the start a Brigadier General, and that without any previous military history warranting such a position, and now made a Major General for no cause that any one in the army can see in the way of services rendered in the field. What are we coming to? I sometimes in my despondency almost wish that Congress would refuse to repeal the limit for Generals, so that those promotions might fall to the ground, although I myself would be one of the sufferers. You must not now expect me for two or three days, as I suppose I will have to wait for the changes which are to be made before I come up. I will however urge the matter faithfully and come as soon as I possibly can. I feel tonight terribly disappointed, but tomorrow may bring better fortune. Love to Ev & family, Tottie Bessie and loving good night kisses to darling wife. M^cLean

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