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

Brooks Station Feb 21^st 1863

 

            I have received your letter dear wife announcing your safe return to Washington and although I am very tired and sleepy I must write to you in return. I am glad you enjoyed your visit as I wish you to repeat it immediately, but not for so short a time. I am satisfied that you can get along very well here with Bessie, and there is no reason why you should not come. I should like to have Sattie also if I thought she would be contented, and willing to take everything as it comes, but it would not be well for her to be here unless she made up her mind to bear cheerfully all sorts of discomforts. I intend to send this letter by Capt Friend in the hope that you will be able to return with him. He has applied for four days / leave, and expects to receive an answer tonight so that he can start tomorrow morning. I will make him promise to call upon you the moment he arrives so that you can have time to make your preparations. If he should stay four days you will have Monday & Tuesday to get ready, and on Wednesday I can see you. I hope you have got your riding habit, and you must be able to find a hat if you look well for it. Do not forget also to try and buy Evy's saddle, for it will be impossible to procure one here. If she will not sell it, and you have the least objection to asking her to lend it to you, then do not do so, but buy one for yourself. You cannot move around here atall except you go on horseback, and you will find it very stupid to stay in the house all the time. You must also bring with you such little things as you and the baby will need. Bring her little chair, but I will provide a rocking chair for you. 

 

            Your room will quite astonish you when you return, it will be so much more comfortable. A few yards of muslin or calico for window curtains would help very much. The bed too could also be made to look very stylish if you could bring along some scarlet stuff to make hangings of, which would hang over the head & foot after passing over a stick attached to the wall above the center of the bed. I never could draw but perhaps I can make something which will enable you to get the idea. Thus  [sketch of bed with drape as described]         You have the length of the bedstead and you can judge from that how much stuff you ought to purchase. Probably seven or eight yards would be enough. You might also bring a little tub for Bessie to bathe in and pack inside of it six plates, six cups & saucers and six cheap tumblers. We could use these very well & in fact would need them when you are here. Of course your baggage should be as light as possible / but you might bring a trunk for yourself and Bessie and a carpet sack for Anny. Arrange it however as you please but I wish you to come & bring Bessie. Sat I am sure would not be contented here, but if she wishes to come for only a short time it could be done if Will Gwynne would come down with you and take her back. I hope that you will be able to make everything comfortable both for yourself & Sattie, so that you can take advantage of Capt Friend's trip & return with him. I shall be very much disappointed if you do not come. Do not forget a night shirt for me. I rode over to Genl Hooker's today. I told him I intended to depend upon the mud and bring my wife down. He said "Good, I would do so too if I had one".

Bring me some bear's grease for my hair.

 

Love to Ev & family, Tottie Bessie & kisses to darling wife from her sleepy & tired husband           M^cLean

 

[sideways overwritten]

 

Sunday Morning

            Capt Friend has not yet received his leave of absence & cannot therefore go up this morning and I send my letter by mail. He will certainly I think go on tomorrow and if you receive this before you see him you must make your preparations at once to be ready.

M^cLean

 

I find two officers who have been promoted from the ranks Lieut's Wheeler & Rucknives from the 75^th are going up to day & I send my letter by them, but I wish you to wait for Capt Friend.

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