Stafford Court House V^a

March 10^th 1863,

 

Dear Mother:

                        It is an unusually rainy and dull morning, and while I would not have you think for a moment that such surroundings would of themselves remind me of home and things very much more agreeable than this weather, you must see that on such days I have more leisure for writing. You have probably before this got my letter thanking you for the box. I delayed answering your letter till I could acknowledge the box. You must attribute the blame to the Express Company. Night before last we / had a terrific thunder shower—the first of the season. I probably appreciated it as much as any one for I was out in the whole of it, on Picket. Of course I couldn't sleep, and how I watched for the first indications of morning! The sun rose clear and bright, the birds began their songs right early, and of all Spring mornings I ever saw, that was the most beautiful. We were relieved about 10 o'clock, and after getting into camp, and putting on dry clothes I enjoyed the weather exceedingly. Took a horseback ride yesterday afternoon, and witnessed a magnificent sunset. Went to bed early on account of having had no sleep the night before, and waked up this morning to find it raining, snowing and blowing. Such sudden changes are very common here. Was shaved yesterday. Hope I shall not add to my cold thereby! I see Ned Harland is now a confirmed Brig. General. Good enough for him. There are two things which may interfere with my serving on his staff. First, my dismissal and second a recent order that no General shall have a new A.A.G. if there are any such officers unemployed in the Dept in which he is. He may have to take some fellow who is now lying idle. Such a thing is very probable I think. The same order provides that the chief of staff (A.A.G.) shall be considered a permanent fixture to the Brigade, and in the event of a change of Brigade commanders, he will stay to serve under the new Genl. This might prove an unpleasant feature of the case. About the / whole matter I maintain the most stolid indifference, and shall do as ordered, whether I get credit for it or not (as in the Washington affair) and shall not move a finger to decide the question one way or the other. Has Frank come up yet? If so, I shall expect to hear from him. Sallie has been so busy with her visitors and visits that she seems to have forgotten the warrior entirely. I am very glad William has got a situation and hope Theodore will be as fortunate very soon. I will answer your next letter sooner if you will write again. I got Father's letters of Mch 2^d & 3^rd and will answer them. Should like to see Bulletins. If you cut out portions and put them in letters I shall be more apt to be benefitted by them. With much love to the family

 

Your aff son

Charlie.

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