I
_Washington, Friday afternoon, Jan. 29. '64._ DEAR MOTHER--Your letter of
Tuesday night came this forenoon--the one of Sunday night I received
yesterday. Mother, you don't say in either of them whether George has
re-enlisted or not--or is that not yet decided positively one way or the
other?
O mother, how I should like to be home (I don't want more than two or
three days). I want to see George (I have his photograph on the wall,
right over my table all the time), and I want to see California--you must
always write in your letters how she is. I shall write to Han this
afternoon or to-morrow morning and tell her probably George will come out
and see her, and that if he does you will send her word beforehand.
Jeff, my dear brother, if there should be the change made in the works,
and things all overturned, you mustn't mind--I dare say you will pitch
into something better. I believe a real overturn in the dead old beaten
track of a man's life, especially a young man's, is always likely to turn
out best, though it worries one at first dreadfully. Mat, I want to see
you most sincerely--they haven't put in anything in the last two or three
letters about you, but I suppose you are well, my dear sister.
Mother, the young man that I took care of, Lewis Brown, is pretty well,
but very restless--he is doing well now, but there is a long road before
him yet; it is torture for him to be tied so to his cot, this weather; he
is a very noble young man and has suffered very much. He is a Maryland boy
and (like the Southerners when they _are_ Union) I think he is as strong
and resolute a Union boy as there is in the United States. He went out in
a Maryland reg't, but transferred to a N. Y. battery. But I find so many
noble men in the ranks I have ceased to wonder at it. I think the soldiers
from the New England States and the Western States are splendid, and the
country parts of N. Y. and Pennsylvania too. I think less of the great
cities than I used to. I know there are black sheep enough even in the
ranks, but the general rule is the soldiers are noble, very.
Mother, I wonder if George thinks as I do about the best way to enjoy a
visit home, after all. When I come home again, I shall not go off
gallivanting with my companions half as much nor a quarter as much as I
used to, but shall spend the time quietly home with you while I do stay;
it is a great humbug spreeing around, and a few choice friends for a man,
the real right kind in a quiet way, are enough.
Mother, I hope you take things easy, don't you? Mother, you know I was
always advising you to let things go and sit down and take what comfort
you can while you do live. It is very warm here; this afternoon it is
warm enough for July--the sun burns where it shines on your face; it is
pretty dusty in the principal streets.
Congress is in session; I see Odell, Kalbfleisch, etc., often. I have got
acquainted with Mr. Garfield, an M. C. from Ohio, and like him very much
indeed (he has been a soldier West, and I believe a good brave one--was a
major general). I don't go much to the debates this session yet. Congress
will probably keep in session till well into the summer. As to what course
things will take, political or military, there's no telling. I think,
though, the Secesh military power is getting more and more shaky. How they
can make any headway against our new, large, and fresh armies next season
passes my wit to see.
Mother, I was talking with a pretty high officer here, who is behind the
scenes--I was mentioning that I had a great desire to be present at a
first-class battle; he told me if I would only stay around here three or
four weeks longer my wish would probably be gratified. I asked him what he
meant, what he alluded to specifically, but he would not say anything
further--so I remain as much in the dark as before--only there seemed to
be some meaning in his remark, and it was made to me only as there was no
one else in hearing at the moment (he is quite an admirer of my poetry).
The re-enlistment of the veterans is the greatest thing yet; it pleases
everybody but the Rebels--and surprises everybody too. Mother, I am well
and fat (I must weigh about 206), so Washington must agree with me. I work
three or four hours a day copying. Dear mother, I send you and Hattie my
love, as you say she is a dear little girl. Mother, try to write every
week, even if only a few lines. Love to George and Jeff and Mat.