Head Quarters 29^th NJV

                                                                                    Camp Burnside Va Mar.12/62[?]

 

Dear George

                        Your letter of the 3^d, with all acompanying “Atlantic”, for both of which accept my thanks, was received on Saturday last.

 

            I am very glad you are pleased with my portrait. I should very much have liked to see it myself, and had I known in time what I know now, I certainly would have seen it before joining the Regiment.

 

            In justice to the gloves I would say that they are not a particle too large; the largeness of the hands is due probably to two reasons, viz the size of the articles themselves and the fact of their being placed nearer to camera than other portions of the body.

 

            I am very glad to hear of the success of the last open meeting. Judging from previous impressions, I dont think the audience would be deeply moved by Mr Chapmans efforts. I trust the P. L. A./ may always succeed in attracting large and “intelligent” audiences to all its open meetings. How is it that Quinn, Richards and Gaskill concluded to withdraw from what seemed to be a life-berths on the Committee on Debate? I am constrained to believe they would never have yielded their positions had they been of a paying kind as for instance is the Treasury. By this time I suppose the Supper is an event of the past, the old toasts “The Prescott” “The Founder of our Society” “The Memory of him whose name we bear” “Those of our number who are now fighting the battles of Freedom,” “Our absent members, who are present” (vide Evans, Commerce, reply Mr Paul, Mechanic Arts Mr Shourds, Medicine Dr Koerper, Woman Mr Dunton &c &c. I expect a full description in your next. Mr Hoopes will (or did) sing Kathleen Mavourneen, Mr Barker Auld Lang Syne, Mr Quinn to the intense dis-/ gust of the audience The Star Spangled Banner or most probably “Beautiful Venice.” Amongst other toasts were, I have no doubt, “Our Married Men” reply Mr Quinn, “”Our future married men” reply Mr Gaskill or Richards.

 

            The destiny of this Corps remains wrapped in cloudy uncertainty. Much speculation, but very little fact, is rife concerning our future. The opinions most prevalent however are those I mentioned in my first letter, I think; we are destined either to march up the Peninsula towards Richmond, or embark on some errand Southward. Whilst I would prefer the latter, I cannot but believe the former the most likely to occur. From present indications it would seem three or four weeks at the least will elapse before we move from here. Still even this is doubtful; verily in the Army, especially, we know not, what a day may bring forth. One thimg seems to be certain/ and that is that General Burnside is to command the force of which this Corps is to form a part. It is believed General B. is already here, but as I see by the papers he has “gone North on a visit to his home” I do not know which statement is correct

 

            Originally Burnside was no great favorite of mine, but since his command of the Army of the Potomac, the more I see or hear of him the better I like him

 

            I care not whether he is the equal of M^cClellan in ability. I know this that he is as true a patriot as any who wear the stars of the general. If all our Leaders were as true as Burnside, I can not but think our Cause would have triumphed ere now. With all our drawbacks, I guess the right will prevail. Its progress may be slow, but it will be sure, it may demand sacrifices greater than any yet made, but they should willingly be made.—Revolutions never go backward.

 

            Weather here is very variable, one day warm, next bitter cold, rain, snow, grass, birds, frogs seem one indiscriminate mixture; but the main evidence is that Spring is here.

 

            Remember me to all our friends and give my love to your Father and Mother and Jess, and accept for yourself from

 

                                                            Your old friend

Write Soon                                                      William H Lambert

SOURCES