Camp Near Falmouth Va

Friday February 6^th/63

 

            Friend George

                                    Your kind and welcome letter was received last evening and was read with interest I am still enjoying good health thank God. Except for the last two or three days I have had a pain in my shoulders and limbs It troubles me considerable at night otherwise I feel well enough. I hope when this reaches you that you all are enjoying good health. A Lamberton is still hear but intends to start home on Monday next if nothing providential interferes Robert is improving very fast is now able to walk across the tent his Father has been trying to get a furlough of thirty days but it appears it cannot be had so he will be obliged to go without him rather a disappointment to them both Gen Hoocker has issued an order granting furlough of ten days to one man out of each company / I recommended J. Rider his papers are out for approval as soon as it comes in you may expect to see him in Carlisle in a hurry. You may think it strange that Robert cannot get one you will perceive that Robert is in the hands of the surgeons and must get his pass through them

 

As to my getting a pass it is rather doubtful as there are quite a number of officers absent now before the order was isued. the order only allows two line officer leave at one time. I would not think of comeing home if my Family would not of been so sorely afflicted, but under the circumstances I have felt of late as though I would like to see my family But I must be content and wait untill my turn comes. Then you will see a fellow streaking for the Cumberland Valley. I know it will not be so pleasant under the circumstances to go and find one chair vacant sinc I left and a babe gon from its / Mothers arms, but I think it would be a relief to my Dear Wife although it will perhaps be as hard to leave as it was at first. As to your questions concerning so many changes, it is a matter not easy to decide. The change of commander has made but litle impression hear you hardly hear it spoken of. Quite different from what it was when Burnside took command There was publick expression of opinions against the change. A chance man now and then that thought it the best thing that could be done. Our Capt was one he is strongly scented with the Negro. He thought McClenn to slow. I tell him I think Burnside to fast. he is down on any thing that will uphold McClenn and Staunton he says one evening in conversation Staunton wants to carry on the war without any person getting hurt I told him I did not think it loocked much like it at Fredericksburg / he made me no reply. I am not able to argue with him, but I give him some plain talk since we came from Frederick and since the last failure I do not say but Burnside is a good man But he has proved inefficient to command so large an army with sucksess As to Hoocker or Fighting Joe as he is called, remains to be seen as to his fighting no one will question but the ability to command so large a force remains to be seen One thing is certain he cannot be much more unfortunate than his predecesor. One thing I do know that if Gen B was placed over the army of the potomack the hills of the old dominion would ring with cheers from the men when I say the men I do not include all the officers for I know there are some opposed to him. As to the Washington news I can say nothing as we get but few papers. Since the Proclamation you can hear men say, when a negro pases by there goes Lincolns Proclamation, as far as I know the majority of the men are opposed to the Proclamation. as for myself my views have never changed, but if the freeing of the Negro will crush this rebelion I say free them. yet I cannot see that it will have that effect

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