Pleasant Hill, Camp Near Darnestown,
September 15, 1861,
Sunday.
At regular intervals I am prompted to my pen, rather by the
desire to think of you at home, than by the consciousness of any story to tell.
It is called a hot day today. I found Colonel ––– and Lieutenant-Colonel ––– at
Poolesville this morning in a state of intense glow, and crying out at the
heat. I find it comfortable, and consider anything short of boiling water my
natural element. The force of habit is so strong that my summer on the Potomac
has fitted me for tropical life. . . . .
Colonel ––– told us that he had been down the river this
morning, and taken a look at the enemy's picket on the other side. And a short
conversation took place between our picket and theirs as to the relative forces
and skill, &c. This disgusted Colonel Andrews, who tersely expressed the
opinion, “When you see an enemy, shoot him.” The shooting of pickets seems to have been voted by
respectable authorities to be barbarous. Why, I cannot see. It amounts to this:
If you don't shoot, they can post their men securely where they please, and
thus attain, without risk, the advantages of outlook and guard which they
desire. If you do shoot, they can't choose their position, nor readily secure
their advantages. This seems to me conclusive. But humanity is a very
vague term when applied to war. And we handle these questions very differently
from the way in which we shall if the war lasts We are looking for a visit and
review from McClellan. That will be an incident, and well worth while. The fact
is, General Banks has been gradually stripped of his column. General Stone, a
regular officer, has been given a separate division at Poolesville, and many of
the best officers have been withdrawn from us. General Banks is left without a
staff. Has lost much of his artillery and cavalry. . . . . If it were not that
I believe that whatever is is right, and that docile submission is the best
wisdom, I should regret belonging to this division, as it seems just outside of
the work. But I am perfectly content with things as they are. When the
time comes I hope it will find us ready.
McClellan doesn't believe in fresh-sprouted major-generals.
That's clear.
I guess we shall see him in a day or two, and then perhaps
he will open the path to glory to us. He keeps the gates. . . . .
Coffee-roaster has arrived, and is merrily at work. This is
a comfort. Tell father he is the regiment's friend, and I bless him. Colonel
Andrews says that I love the Second Regiment first, and my country next.
Perhaps it is true. At all events, I care only for its success at present. The
call is beating for parade, and the sun is setting. Good by.
SOURCE: Elizabeth Amelia Dwight, Editor, Life and
Letters of Wilder Dwight: Lieut.-Col. Second Mass. Inf. Vols., p. 102-3
No comments:
Post a Comment