Stafford Court House V^a

April 8^th 1863—

 

Dear Father:

                        Your's of the 30^th ult came duly to hand, and was an unusually good and long one. Frank has also favored me with a second letter, dated "New York, April 3^rd" I am sorry that I was so careless as to make a muddle of my explanation about my relations with Gen. Harland. I said I had heard nothing from him—meaning, of course, nothing definite—no announcement that he had got me the appointment. From that I infer that he has forwarded his application (for that appointment) to Washington, which you know has to be made to the Adjutant General of the Army. For if he had concluded not to do so, or had done so, and got no for an answer, I should have been apprized of the fact. If I go at all, it will be on an order detailing me to act on Gen. H's staff, and it will take one copy of that order to get me away from here and pass me to Newport News. I guess that matter is clearer now. I am expecting every / day from the Gen. for my last from him was to the effect that as soon as the Pres. sent him his commission, he should go to Washington, and if successful in his application, try to have me meet him there. He said if he failed in the A.A.G. he should get me a commission (whether as Capt or Lieut he did not say) in one of his Conn. Regs. and make me Aide de camp. I don't exactly understand how this last would be managed, but he does, and I told him to do whatever he thought best in the matter.

 

            The prospects for a move here are more uncertain every day. It is impssible to tell what is about to take place. The plans of the General commanding have never been so closely kept as at present. That is a good sign. To day Pres. Lincoln is reviewing some troops down at Falmouth. It is rumored that the 12^th & 11^th Corps are not to move, but that cannot be. I forgot to tell you that Gen. Kane has been removed to another command and our Brigade is now Gen. Jackson's. We got the news of the Conn election last night by the Washington papers. All hail to the old / Mutiny State! She has done nobly and, as we put six months as the limit of our fighting days, Gov. Buckingham's boys, now in the army, will see that his election next spring be no doubtful matter. The 20^th sent up one howl of joy and the few ignorant Irishmen among us, who believe that if Seymour had been elected the war would have ended at once, and consequently were opposed to Gov. B. have been remarkably quiet since the news came. Who should call on me yesterday but Bill Fuller! He is with his company again, or rather is out of Hospital, but detached as mounted orderly at Maj. Genl. Slocums Head Quarters. He looked very well indeed in his new cavalry jacket with yellow trimming, and it seemed quite natural to see him. I showed him my assortment of photographs, and entertained as well as I could, talking over old times for an hour, when he went back, promising to call again. I wrote a note to Sallie the other day. We expected to move every day then but here we are still. I will write if anything startling occurs. With much love to all. Yours Charlie. /

 

April 11^th I have been so busy lately, that I have hardly had time to mail this letter, and since its beginning I have rec^d yours of the 6^th inst. Lincoln reviewed the 11^th & 12^th Corps yesterday—probably 40,000 men He looked very careworn—otherwise natural. Everything looks like a move, but the exact date is not known. We expect to hear of the fall of Sumter every day. God speed the right and bring a glorious peace out of our terrible confusion & disorder. Give much love to my dear Mother & Sallie, and believe me

Your aff son

C

 

[overleaf]

 

Charley

R. Mar.15/63

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