Stafford Court House V^a

April 15^th 1863—

 

Dear Father,

                        Lieut Doolittle, Co A. of my Reg. arrived here to day from an absence, and brought George's letter which you gave him on the cars. You dont know how glad I was to get the letter, and know that my misguided brother was yet alive and well. Do you understand that he is not in the army now? That is the way I regard it. Who knows but he may have been forced to the course he has taken, and may yet prove himself worthy the name of a Connecticut boy? We—in fact the whole corps are under marching orders. We were to have marched this morning, but a tremendous rain-storm, which has continued all day, and is raging this evening with unabated fury, prevented, and we are waiting, with eight days rations in knapsacks and haversacks, for further orders. This is more provision than the Reg has ever carried, and we anticipate a long march. The whole army of the Potomac have similar orders, and a battle—general and severe, within two weeks, is without a peradventure. /

 

The 20^th is not in luck, and I am downspirited enough when I think of what is before us. I will tell you why. Our Brig. Gen. (Jackson) rode his horse off a bridge last night, and broke his leg. He will not be able to ride again for several weeks. Meanwhile, Col. Ross being senior Col. will command the Brigade and (Heaven save the mark!) Lieut Col Wooster will lead our Reg into battle. It is saying nothing to assert that there isn't a line officer in the Reg. (but what am I writing—treason) who is not better able to fill the place than he. Every day he drills us, he appears more stupid than ever before, till every man in the Reg mocks at him, and laughs, in his very face, at the blunders he makes. Now please imagine the 20^th who have never been under fire, in the face of the enemy. It is expected of greenhorns that they will break a little at the first fire, and then the tactics are to rally them. Conn. soldiers have shown that under decent officers they are of as good stuff as any soldiers in the field. But who is to rally us? Under Wooster, when these men break once, it is for good, and we shall disgrace ourselves, our friends and the State. And then the disasters to which such insubordination will subject the men are terrible to contemplate. I should be glad to get away before the shock comes, but do not expect to—As it is, I shall try to do my duty where I am, and counteract by precept and example / the infernal influence which a lack of confidence in the commanding officer is likely to have. I believe my men will obey me, at least till they find themselves alone, and then there is not power on earth to keep them in the ranks. That you may see how matters stand between Gen. Harland and myself, I enclose his last letter. It would be a funny move from Capt to 1^st Lieut, wouldn't it? My pay would be one dollar per month more than I now get. I enclose a specimen of Virginia trailing-Arbutus. The woods are full of it. Mother & Sallie will appreciate it, if you do not. They will press it, perhaps, and keep it as a memento. Please give them my best love, and believe me

 

Affectionately yours

Charlie—

 

P.S. The $60.00 enclosed you may put to Mother's account, or mine as you please. Your's of 6^th inst rec^d.

[overleaf] Charley      A. Ap. 20.1863

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