Mouth Of Antietam Creek,
79th Regiment,
Sept. 28th, 1862.
My dear Mother:
I have been sitting smoking my pipe by moonlight, pleasantly
chatting with my old friend Dr. McDonald, till remembering my anxious mother, I
have returned to say cheering words to that most estimable and precious lady.
At last your kind pains have been rewarded. A mail-bag has arrived from
Washington, and made me the happy possessor of nine letters. What a treasure!
Eight from you, and one full of kindness from dear Lilly who promises moreover
to write me more, though I should prove a negligent correspondent myself. Tell
her to do so by all means. Such proofs of love are very delightful. I wrote you
last, that I was entertaining some idea of joining McDonald as his Asst.
Surgeon. We had the thing all nicely arranged — had consulted and received the
approval of the Medical Director, when a young man presents himself duly
commissioned for the position by the Governor of New-York. My lucky star is not
in the ascendant.
Another change has taken place in my affairs. A new brigade
has been formed, and the 79th Highlanders transferred to it. I was obliged to
follow with my Regiment, and consequently resigned the position of A. A. A. G.
to the old Brigade. The same position was offered me in the New Brigade, but,
not liking the Brigadier, I declined the honor. So now I am back again, a
simple Captain in the 79th, sole commander in chief of a company numbering some
20 effective men. So much for “Glory.” It may perhaps console you that Col.
Christ, who had charge of five Regiments in the late battles, writes in his
reports: “While I have reason to commend in general the conduct of the officers
of my command, my special thanks are due to Capt. Lusk for the valuable
services he rendered me.” I quote it (as nearly as I can remember) because in
the mass of reports which are sent in, few, if any, will ever come to light
again.
I am glad you proposed to visit Maj. Elliott in New London.
He is a warm and true friend of mine. I wrote Horace to-day quite a long
letter. Hunt's letter, recommending me to accept the position of Aide on
General Tyler's staff came too late. I could not apply for it, as a Brigadier
is not entitled to an Aide beyond the rank of Lieut., unless the officer
receives his commission direct from the President. With Stevens I was simply
detached for Staff duties. This could be done inside, but not outside, of the
Brigade I may be attached to. I could therefore accept by Army Regulations
nothing less than the position of Asst. Adjt.-General. Otherwise I would have
fancied the thing right well, as, having consigned all ambitious project to him
who is said to be the Father of them, I would like very much to see something
of campaigning in the West, and the Western country. We are now resting,
recruiting, and getting ready for new deeds. I trust we have inaugurated
victory now, and mean to hear nothing more of Manassas.
Great must Uncle John's faith be, if he still believes in
Pope. I am sure there was not a man in his army, who had any confidence in his
capacity, even previous to his final disasters. We all considered him a very
noisy, pretentious liar.
It is now so late that I must say Good-Bye.
Affec'y.,
Will.
79th Regiment, 1st
Brigade, 1st Div.
9th Army Corps.
SOURCE: William Chittenden Lusk, Editor, War Letters
of William Thompson Lusk, p. 211-3
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