Headquarters Stevens' Div.
Burnside's Expedition,
July 28th, 1862.
My dear Mother:
I have received no further news from you since your last
short communication hurriedly informing me of an improvement in my prospects. I
only hope your intimation may be true. I asked Genl. Stevens' advice. He told
me “unequivocally to accept.” I trust the appointment may soon be made, as I
must have some little change before I return to life in unhealthy swamps. My
experience in South Carolina has not specially fitted me to resist climatic
influences here. It will be of incalculable advantage to me if I can get North
three or four weeks this summer. I received a letter from Walter yesterday. He
seems to feel the present critical condition of our country very much. Ned
Harland is a near neighbor of mine now. Once I have met Charley Breed. I saw
Henry King at Fortress Monroe a few days ago. We met and parted as though we
were in the habit of seeing one another every day. Halleck was here day before
yesterday. I was greatly disappointed in his appearance. Small and farmer-like,
he gives a rude shock to one's preconceived notions of a great soldier. He is a
striking contrast to Genl. Burnside who is rather a Chevalier Bayard in
appearance and accomplishments. One has opportunities on the staff of seeing a
great deal that is interesting, still staff officers are simply satellites of
the General — if anything else, they are no use.
I see good accounts of recruiting in Connecticut. I trust
this is so, for we must have those troops drilled and ready for the field as
early as possible. It is not pleasant to think of dragging through another
winter in quarters. These troops in Burnside's corps are really splendid,
deserving indeed the name of soldiers. The Army looks very different now from
what it did last fall, previous to our expedition down South.
I have really nothing to write, except that I am impatient
to see you all, and that I remain as ever, with love to sisters and dear ones
at home,
Affectionately,
WILL.
SOURCE: William Chittenden Lusk, Editor, War Letters
of William Thompson Lusk, p. 169-70
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