Evans Mills N. C. Feb. 12^th/65

 

Dear Father

                        Yours of the 4^th inst. was received a few days ago and you may believe its perusal gave me a great deal of pleasure. indeed I believe I felt at least five years younger when I had finished it. At the present time my health is quite good and I have almost recovered from that severe attack of the blues that hung to me so long. I am not certain about that consolidation scheme being carried out yet, but shall feel rather uneasy untill the thing is decided one way or the other. There appears to be quite a pressure brought to bear against it owing to the popularity of the Col. and to judge from what he the Col) said the other day I should think the thing was about blown over. I dont know but I am just as patriotic now as ever I was, but the idea of serving the remainder of my term in another Company and probably in another regt. did not have the effect to make me pleased with my situation. If consolidation had taken, or does yet take place the 25^th and 23^rd Mass would go together and non-commissioned officers from our regt. would be no/ where as all the vacancies in that regt. for commissioned and non-commissioned officers have been filled and it is universally conceded that where there is no chance for a man to climb he is not worth much as a soldier: and I am not sure but the same rule holds good in civil life. Though a fellow may not be very ambitious, still a knowledge of the fact that there is a chance for every one to reach a higher position if he only tries is worth a good deal to one of my organization.

 

            Since writing my last there has nothing of importance transpired out here, unless the arrival of several thousands of convanescents from Shermans “old army” left behind when he commenced his great march through Georgia, portends something big to occur in the old “North State” soon I cannot imagine why they were sent here unless Shermans troops are going to be up this way soon and at last accounts he was moving on Branchville S. C. in force. I have just finished reading a piece in the Army and Navy Journal, in which the writer attempts to show what will be the programme of the Spring Campaign and by which the rebellion will be utterly over whelmed with defeat. According to his account our four great armies will all operate against Richmond. Grant Sherman Sheridan and Thomas, while our vast cavalry force will operate against the/ enemies rail-roads and communications in general.

 

            If such a policy were pursued, I doubt not but that the rebel capitol would be in our hands within a few weeks after the movement commenced, but at the same time the enemy might be having his own way in our territory, for you must know that I have but a poor opinion of the rear militia that would be opposed to the enemy on a raid in to the Northern states.—I dont think we shall have the long looked for peace for some time to come especially if the account of the meeting at Ft. Monroe between Lincoln and Stevens be as the Boston Herald has it. If Stevens made the demands that the latter paper says he did why we may as well not have any more meetings of that kind untill the last rebel stronghold is ours. The enemy have never been in such straitened circumstances before as at the present time and a few more heavy blows must end that which in the beginning threatened to destroy the best government in the world. And the southern people after passing through such a terrible ordeal will not be so quick to appeal to arms another time. Since I wrote to you before I have had the pleasure, or rather the pain of reading “Bull Run Russells” book, brought out some time sinse, entitled My Diary North and South! I felt so mad that I al-/most gave the thing up in disgust, when I came to passages in which he was more virulent than common.—It seemd as though (according to his idea) there could be nothing either good or great in the US and no soldier could read his ridicule of our army bad as the army might have been at that time, without wanting to take the wretch by the wind pipe.—He had a great deal to say about our battles where we had one or two killed and twice that many wounded. I could not help wondering whether the da—d fool had changed his mind by this time or not.—But I guess the aristocracy will be a little careful how they bring on a war with the much ridiculed U.S.—

 

I guess you will be a little surprised when I tell you that I have turned artist, that is in a small way. I made my first attempt yesterday but am sorry to say, the prospect is not very flattering to my vanity. I dont think I am gifted in that line but I have so longed to be able to transfer the places that I visit to paper that I made an attempt yesterday afternoon to sketch Evans Mills, but the result I fear will never be known to the public. I also try to cipher a little now and then, and am vain enough to think that with a little study and practice I would soon regain what I have forgotten in the last four years.

 

            Hope I shall be able to improve in drawing enough to get up a few honest sketches ( if they are rough) by the time the war ends.—But my sheet is full and I will close. Remember me to all. Expect 2 months pay next week but it is doubtful whether I send any home or not.—I cant see why they dont pay us up all they owe us—

 

                                                            Yours Affectionately

                                                                                                Charles M. Maxium[?]

 

[front margin] I shall be glad to see my cotton shirts come along soon. Though woolen is the best to wear I dont like the feeling of it next the skin. I shall write to Cad this evening.

                                                                                                                        C. M. M.

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