Head Qrs 2^nd Brig 1^st Div 11^th Corps

Brooks Station Feb 20^th 1863

 

            I expected at letter from you dear wife today, but have been disappointed. I feel sure however that you have found them all well, and therefore do not feel atall uneasy, but only that I have not enjoyed a pleasure always felt in receiving your letters. No doubt tomorrow will bring me one and it is only pleasure deferred.

 

Today the sun has shone as bright and warm as early spring, changing the aspect of everything. There has also been a steady high wind, which has in a great degree dried up the mud, so that it is now possible to ride out with some comfort. Tomorrow if the weather should continue fair I intend riding over to see Genl Hooker. I suppose I ought to have called long / since, but the truth is I do not care to throw myself in the way of the officers of the regular army, any more than is absolutely necessary, and on that account have until now kept away. Mentioning the regulars reminds me that today I had a visit from Sam Anderson. He looks quite fat and is encamped some five or six miles from this place. His regiment is the twelfth and it seems that Sam is in command all of the field officers being away, I do not know where. I told him I expected you down here next week. He sent his love & says he will come and see you. Now are you going to disappoint Sam by not coming? It would be very naughty in you to do so, and I sincerely hope you will not have the heart to deprive him of the pleasure of seeing you. Does Sat still desire to go to Philadelphia? If she does, it will for her to go by the first oppor- / tunity as there is no knowing how long I may be permitted to remain here. In fact unless you come down I am afraid Genl Stahel will move over here and either move me out, or share my quarters so that it will then be impossible for me to have you here atall. When you are already in possession, he will remain where he is and not disturb me. As it is now, he is rather out of the way from his Division, and this house is more central than any other, or rather there is no other house in the vicinity which will answer this purpose for headquarters. He will have the power to order me close to my brigade if he feels disposed so to do, and I could say nothing against it. Pleasant is it not to contemplate the possibility of being forced to give up my present quarters for a tent without a stove or a log cabin yet to be built? Genl Stahel has not / yet asked for leave of absence, but the moment he talks of moving here I mean to insist upon his taking his turn to go home, so as to leave me in quiet possession. Capt Margedant has been busy with the carpentry, so that I shall expect to be able to make you more comfortable when next you come. I see no reason why Bessie could not get along here very well indeed. All the air holes will be stopped up, and the room can be kept warm enough. I must know a day before hand in order to procure blankets for Anny. This however will be easily done. If we should be ordered off suddenly when you come down I will arrange so as to send an escort with you to Washington, and then I will have to let you manage for yourself. Do write me at once what you decide. Judge for yourself and as for the propriety I will take care of that. Love to Ev & family, Tottie, Bessie & darling wife—         M^cLean

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