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

Brooks Station Feb 22^nd 1863

 

            Capt Friend did not get his pass as I expected this morning dear wife, and I was therefore compelled to send my letter by Lieut Wheeler. I hope you have received it ere this, and will commence tomorrow morning early to make your preparations for a visit which will last until I leave this place altogether. I cannot understand why Capt Friend's application has been neglected, for even now no answer has yet been returned. A personal request was made by me for despatch in his case, on my own account and I was promised that it should receive immediate attention. There has been some mistake undoubtedly, and tomorrow I will send a special messenger to headquarters upon the subject. You will have a day or two longer to make your / preparations by this delay, and will be enabled to get your habit and other things all ready. If Will Gwynne is still at Alex^a he might bring you down with him. The next time I will hope to have better success and meet you at the landing, so that you will not have any trouble about baggage or cars. Among other things do not forget the ball of listing. It would just now add very materially to my comfort, as the wind has been intruding upon my privacy in a very rude way all day. Yesterday it was clear and bright. Too warm for an overcoat and the wind of the day before had dried up the mud around here very materially. Last night however there came one of the sudden changes, and the wind changed round to the northeast blowing very hard, and intensely cold, and the snow has fallen some eight or ten inches in depth. All day the storm has raged with great fury and altogether it has been one of the most bitter days of the / whole winter. If you had been here, you would have been frightened at the prospect, but I have staid in the house and kept a blazing fire going all the time so that I have only seen the discomfort without really feeling much of it. What does Tottie say about coming down with you? She must not do so unless she makes up her mind to stay without grumbling, all the time that you remain. It will no doubt be very dull and rough. We have no facilities for comforts in even the actually necessary things in a house, but manage to get along without, and you must try and do so too. I wrote you to provide some few things for your comfort, but you need not restrict yourself to them provided you do not make your baggage too bulky. You must provide yourself well with medicines and directions from Dr Clymer for Bessie, so that you can be prepared if she should be taken sick. Dr Hart however has returned so that she can have good care / taken of her. I hope however that the trip will give her an appetite instead of making her sick. After this terrible storm which seems now to have ceased I hope we will have some fine weather, so that you can come down on a pleasant day. After you once reach here there will be no trouble as we can really be comfortable although in the plainest way. You must not delay any longer than is absolutely necessary, as the time for our remaining idle is passing away very rapidly. Is there any gossip about the confirmations? There does not seem to be anything in the papers, so far as the Generals are concerned, although scores of other officers have been confirmed. We should not be kept in suspense if it can be avoided. Ten days however is not very long to wait and I can very easily be contented for that length of time. Remember to be ready to start at any moment & make yours & Tots arrangements accordingly. Love to Ev & family Tottie, Bessie and darling wife

                                                                                               

M^cLean

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