Cha^s

 

Near Sandy Hook, Md—

Oct. 29^th 1862—

 

Dear Father

                        As I sent you a letter the other morning, which may have given you a little amxiety about me, I hasten, at my first leisure to inform you that we are here yet! We are still under marching orders, and although we move on with our daily routine, as if we were to stay here all our lives, we may have, and expect an hour's "notice to quit" at any moment. A part of the Army have crossed the Potomac, and even Burnside under whose general command we are. Our Corps, under Maj Gen. Slocum, are reported in the papers to have had a desperate / engagement with the enemy, but we have no other knowledge of the fact in this vicinity. It is thought that the whole Army will cross eventually, and it is only a question of time with our Corps. I cannot learn from reliable authority, that the rebels have moved far South. Frm the signal station on the mountain we can see the surrounding country for 30 or 40 miles, and the officers there tell me that the rebels are where they have been for some weeks. About the "progress of events"—Col. Harland has moved with Burnside to the Potomac, and has either crossed or will do so soon. Meanwhile Col. Ross has been urging me / to take command of Co. H. and I have decided to do so. My reasons are these, and you mustn't publish them, for it would be unpleasant for Ned if he shouldn't get his promotion. I asked Ned's advice, and he told me, that the position of Capt. was in many respects better than that of Aid—and that as Col. R. had made so good an offer, he would better his, vis—if I would take the captaincy he would have me detailed as his Assistant Adjutant General, with the rank of Capt. That is exactly the position I want to hold during the war, unless it lasts longer than I expect it will. I do not care to take the terrible responsibility on my shoulders which a promotion higher than Capt. / would bring with it. The natural, and, of late quite usual promotion from A.A.G. is to Major. If I get a good deal older and wiser than I now am, and that position is urged upon me—I think I should take it. As it is, I am more than satisfied and as Col. H. remarked, "We'll show 'em what Norwichtown can do!" I still have some doubts of Ned's success. Every day's delay makes it appear worse. nons verrons The Capt. of H. Co. has never been with us, having been sick since we left N.H. Col. R. has written him to resign. If I fail in the A.A.G. I shall have a very good position in the 20^th and flatter myself that I shall be the favorite Captain—Whether I shall be the fortunate one or not, remains to be seen. Heard from Frank yesterday. Did he get a letter from me? Must go to Dress Parade—Love to all—Affectionately Charlie /

 

26 cars full of hay just burned up at Harper's Ferry—Sumner's Corps has started South. You will see all in papers. Isn't this a very creditable letter from John?

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