Cha^s

 

Stafford C.H. V^a

April 21^th 1863—

 

Dear Father,

                        As I dated my letter I couldn't help wondering at the length of time we have been in this camp—now just three months, or equal to a term at College. And yet, strange as it may seem, the time has passed very quickly. Tomorrow it will be eight months since I went to New Haven in search of "Col Samuel Ross, 20^th Conn Vols". My finding him has materially changed the tide of my life. I am more and more inclined to the opinion that the change has been for the better. I get letters almost daily from some of my classmates in New Haven, and occasionally I wish I were with them, but I am learning fully as much here as I should there, and am getting a better basis for the career of a man, than the fogy rules of Latin Prosody can give. In our army you see representatives of every class in society. No body of men was ever collected before which comprized everything—some soldiers by profession, some amateurs: some / gentlemen, some loafers: some Christians, some gamblers. Our Regiment alone, represents every trade in which New Englanders engage. I think the ranks show a better proportion of talent and morals than is found among the officers—That is easily accounted for. In some cases it arises from political, party favor—in many from exactly the reverse. That is, there are officers in the army, who would never have been there, had not the National and State governments been warned and threatened against slighting the opposition! To return to the point; living in this little world of an army, all complete in itself, is good experience for a young man, if so be he does not take the evil and forget the good. It is bringing Niagara Falls, Mount Auburn, Greenwood—Boston and New York up the Thames for your personal inspection—solves the problem of how one man can see everything—it is the Mountain coming to Mahomet. We, of course, take it for granted that the mountain wont crush the old prophet, and so forget the real danger there is in the case, in our determination to gain the most possible improvement. /

 

Everything still ready for a move, but as yet no move. A terrible uncertainty overhangs the whole matter. You can form no idea how tantalizing it is to wait so long, and not know but after all we may not move at all. It is said that Gen Hookers Chief of Staff doesn't know what we are to do. A "change of base" is beginning to be whispered, but it is very certain that nobody knows anything about it—one man's guess is as good as anothers. The President, Sec'y Stanton, Gen Halleck, and Gen. Hooker had a council of war at Falmouth day before yesterday. We shall see what effect that will have. We have been having a little rain of late, but not enough to spoil the roads which are now in good order. Nothing from Ned. I wrote last, rather strongly in favor of the Aide—The process in that case will be, a resignation here, and a commission from Gov. B. as 1^st Lieut in some Reg in Ned's Brigade. I enclose two three pictures—one of two of my boys, whom I think a good deal of—the elder, Greenman formerly of Greenville—the younger, Perkins of Waterbury. The other two speak for / themselves. One of my Sergeants drew it. It is very natural, and is intended to hint, in a manner complimentary to me, at the change in the company since their young Captain has returned. I have happened to take hold of the Co. just in the right way. I have never scolded or threatened a man, nor had one order disobeyed or even growled at. Yesterday came the nearest to it. I told one man to come to my tent to sign his name to a roll, and on his not starting at once, I told him if he was busy he might stay where he was. This morning he came to me with a most humble apology, and assured me he would never "hurt my feelings" again. I could not ask to have my wishes complied with and even anticipated to a fuller extent than they are. This is of course "all in the family", and instead of laughing at my boy's talk, you will be glad with me, that I have found my company so agreeable. I have not heard from you since my last, and wrote to Mother Sunday, but I felt talkative and have run on as above. With much love to all, I remain your aff son

Charlie—

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