Centreville, Sept. 10, 1863.
I to-day had to call attention in a general order to the
prevalence of profanity in the command, and at the same time to add that
perhaps I had not set them a good example in this respect. I don't swear very
much or very deep, — but I do swear, more often at officers than men, and there
is a great deal of swearing in the regiment which I wish to check: of course, I
shall stop it in myself entirely; I shall enforce the Articles of War if
necessary. . . .
I think we must make up our minds to a long war yet, and
possibly to a war with some European power. For years to come, I think all our
lives will have to be more or less soldierly, — i. e. simple and
unsettled; simple because unsettled.
SOURCE: Edward Waldo Emerson, Life and Letters of
Charles Russell Lowell, p. 301
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