Headquarters 2d Brigade.
My dear Mother:
The “Atlantic” has
just arrived bringing me two letters from which I judge all is going on well at
home. I had heard from Mr. Johnson that Lilly would soon be married, but I did
not give the matter much thought, willing to wait until I should hear the story
from the best of all sources of information — herself. I must say I cordially approve of the
measure. Prudence is without doubt most commendable, and Mr. Matthus is
certainly theoretically right, still, luckily for the happiness of young
couples, I believe that it is generally conceded that it is in the shop of Care
and Responsibility that the best kind of prudence gets fabricated. I go in for
the wedding at any rate. Shall make myself merry on the occasion if allowed to
attend, and have some romantic notions that trouble is not so hard to bear when
there are two to share the burden. Anyway let Lilly write me, and give me her
mature reflections on the subject.
I was very much
gratified to think you took the little parcel of money I sent home last. It
makes me feel quite proud to think I could be of any help in such a way. I do
hope Dr. Grant will get sent to Congress. He would be such an honor to my
native State, and would know how to keep his political garments clean, even in
a cesspool such as our National Capitol.
Of course we are all
hurrahing for the evacuation of Yorktown. It so happens that the rebels have no
place its equal in strength in the whole confederacy. Yet that wretched puling
sheet, the ——, while professing pleasure, is covertly pursuing McClellan as
usual, declaring that the work had been greatly exaggerated, and that we might
have had Yorktown a month ago. My dear Mother, I have had the pleasure of
seeing and knowing the pack of vagabonds that follow our armies in the employ
of newspapers for the purpose of criticising our movements, and I know that
truth, fairness and principle in description go only so far as the politics of
their respective sheets allow. It would make you indignant could you see the
characters who take upon themselves the censorship of our military movement.
Such a thing as any reasonable acquaintance with what they prate about, is
unnecessary and probably would interfere too much with the style of their
criticism.
You may see Wm. Ely,
who is now North. He is one of our Conn, boys who does his state great credit.
We had a concert
here a few evenings ago, so I will enclose the programme.
Good-bye. Much love
to all.
Your affec. Son,
Will.
SOURCE: William Chittenden Lusk, Editor, War Letters
of William Thompson Lusk, p. 145-7
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