"I have no time to write you a letter. I am doing most of the business
of the regiment, both of the colonels being sick. All of our brigade
left this morning in the forward movement except our regiment, which
was left behind for three reasons--the brigade took all our wagons, we
had so large a number of sick, and a regiment was to be left to forward
supplies. We will leave as soon as we get transportation.
"Aleck [my brother, regimental quartermaster] has been promoted to
post quartermaster of General Pope's division, and will be stationed
at Otterville, charged with the duty of drawing from St. Louis and
forwarding supplies to the division, a very responsible position, and
earned by his attention to his duties."