Camp Fifth New Jersey Vols.

March 17, 1862.

 

My Dear Father

                                    Your letter of 13^th was received this pm, and what little answer is required I will give this evening for fear I may not have not a better opportunity, or take interest enough in the subject to speak of it hereafter, yet I have run the text you have given me for an answer. Let me beg you to assure Cint that I know nothing of the correspondence which may be, or has been, carried on between Maj Truex and Miss Inlay. She need not (for a moment) believe that it in any way compromises, concerns, or interests me. I presume they correspond (if at all) on the strength of old and intimate relationship. It is true I am a candidate for promotion in common with the other members of the non Com. staff & orderly sergeants—and I believe, though I do not know positively that Maj Truex favored my application, in preference to any other / member of the non com. Staff. I believe my most earnest friends are Com. Woolsey & Lt. Col. Mott. There is a vacancy from the resignation of Lt. Kelly Co. "B" and report has it that another Lt. will soon resign—but these vacancies will not be filled until after the "Great Battle" shall have been fought—and the position won by meritorious conduct. If the regiment should fail to be engaged, the extra duty which one or two resignations imposes, will have to be borne by the remaining Com. officers. Maj T. and myself have had but one conference on this subject, and that was of my own seeking—and simply related to the propriety of making a written application for the position He disapproved it—and I made a personal application (and the last one made) out of compliment to Col. Mott—that is to say—I wished to show him that I took interest enough in the subject, as (I told him) to make a personal application. This was a month ago. The subject has been dropped so far 

 

I know. I imagine the Col. mentioned the subject to the line officers in order to get their preferences—which resulted in the recommendation of as many men as there were staff and field officers. It will fall to the one who shall fairly win it in the first fight and not to any ones pref. Maj Truex has been promoted to the Lt. Col. of the 10^th N.J.Vol and will join that regiment as soon as he is able to leave—he is now sick with rheumatism I can only be afected by anything Maj T. may say about me, only so far as he speaks of my good conduct as a soldier and would desire to see me promoted. A good soldier must of necessity desire to rise—but must prove himself worthy. I have no concern or interest in any trash he may write to any one. I hold no correspondence with any one through a third person—so you may assure Cint it is not worth while to fret her heart about me. I appreciate C's kindness in taking so much interest in the subject—but I fear she has allow her / apprehensions to get the best of her good judgment. Give her my love—and tell her I am not a candidate for matrimonial honors—but am for military—which I hope soon to win               I am in good health

 

                        Love to John and

                        Mother &c.

                                    Truly

                                                M.S. Austin

                                                            Com Sergt

                                                                        Fifth NJV

 

Receive the Observer regularly

Rec'd 'Phila Inq.' of to day

All is quiet

Send few postage stamps

                                    MSA

SOURCES