Jan. 27th.
We find all sorts of communication with home fairly cut off.
Gen. Sherman has been long planning some expedition against Fort Pulaski. At
length it has started from Hilton Head, and Gen. Sherman, with his
characteristic caution has closed all communication, fearful that otherwise,
through letter, or in some other manner his plans might be revealed. I trust
when the embargo is raised, the same steamer that carries this to you, will
bear accounts of some new success from our expedition.
I am sorry Uncle Phelps is disappointed that he did not have
the pleasure of reading my name in print. Why, I read the other day (in the Herald),
how I commanded an enterprise at which I was not even present. So much for
newspaper glory! After Bull Run, numbers who never left New York, had
themselves puffed for gallant conduct by a mercenary press. Pooh! Mother, your
reputation outside the circle of those who can see, is not worth the words that
picture it. I have to laugh when I think of Brig.-Gen. of the Irish Brigade,
and the affrighted Captain beating a quick retreat from Bull Run, swearing that
the South had fought well and deserved its independence — that it was useless
to resist a free people, and the sooner we recognize the South the better.
Since then has become a great hero, by the mighty powers of
quackery.
Well, dear Mother, Good-bye.
Yours affectionately,
W. T. Lusk.
SOURCE: William Chittenden Lusk, Editor, War Letters
of William Thompson Lusk, p. 119-20
No comments:
Post a Comment