Head Qrs 1^st Div 11^th Corps

Brooks Station April 3^rd 1863

 

            Again I must write, no letter from you dear wife. I suppose I am unreasonable in expecting to hear from you so soon after my return, and yet it seems to me a long time. Our mails are terribly slow and to this cause I ascribe my not receiving your letters. I do not permit myself to think scarcely of any other cause, and time will remedy this. Perhaps my letters have not yet reached you and you may be as anxious as I am. Patience, patience.

 

We have had now three days of dry weather and some of the roads are becoming dusty. If this continues we must soon make a forward movement, and I trust a thoroughly successful one. This army has too long failed to accomplish any great end, and now it must do something or be broken up / certainly. It will take a strong force to resist us when we do move, if we are in earnest, and by this time those who do not desire this war terminated by a crushing defeat of the rebels have I hope left us, so that we are united in our hopes and wishes, and will be also in our actions in the field. Everything seems to be very quiet in our front, but I cannot think the rebels will permit us to advance without serious opposition. Our troops around Vicksburg seem to be getting along very slowly. The warm weather will soon enervate our men so as seriously to embarrass military operations in that climate and it seems to me we ought now to attack if there is any chance of success. Many persons seem to adhere to the slow policy in the hope that starvation may accomplish all things for us, but I doubt this. The South in rebellion covers a large territory that has not yet been / disturbed by the presence of armies and supplies from these regions and not yet exhausted. The armies in the field against us must be defeated. Nothing else will give us a permanent peace. The south must feel our power in such a way that rebellion will feel it can never be successful.

 

            Have you yet received my sword? I am curious to know what you think of it. It seemed very handsome to me, but I had no time to examine it. If I had it here I might dress up when the President makes his appearance. This morning we made a change in our domestic establishment. Sarah has been discharged and in her place we have a white man from the 75^th Regt. He is unable to do duty as a soldier and we have taken him on trial hoping to be better suited than before. Madam Sarah is not yet married, and I do not hear anything about / the gentleman who so easily consoled her for the loss of Mr. Fisher. Perhaps he will claim his bride in a day or two. She asked permission to remain until she could wash her things, and yes this means preparation for the wedding.

 

This morning I was told Col Salm and his wife returned to camp. I have not yet had the pleasure of a call from them, but the Col sent word, he would pay his respects tomorrow. They bring a report that the President his wife and a large party are to come down tomorrow. Col Von Amesbury says Mrs. Lincoln is to dine with Mrs. Salm, and visit all the camps. She will have a nice time of it as it will take a long time with hard riding to accomplish. In anticipation of a review I have hung up my new coat to get the wrinkles out so that I may show myself off to the greatest advantage. Love and kisses to the children & family with loving good night to darling wife.      M^cL

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