79th Regiment, Camp Israel,
Pleasant Valley,
Oct. 19th, 1862.
My dear Mother:
It is some little time since I have had an opportunity to
write you, for a few days ago we were suddenly sent to Frederick for the
protection of that place, apprehensive of an attack from Stuart's troopers.
While there, we had no conveniences for inditing epistles, little to eat, and
plenty of exposure. When I left for Frederick, I was quite ill with camp
dysentery, but it left me very soon, although I have no doubt, could you have
seen me lying out of doors without shelter in the cold night air, you would have
predicted certain death to me. I find men don't die easy, unless they are shot.
Atmospheric exposure doesn't kill. Men grow and thrive with hardship.
Well, so I am another Uncle, bless my heart! As well as the
little heart of the new youngster who wouldn't be a girl for any consideration!
The female sex don't seem to smile upon me, but then boys are such “rare birds,”
as Dr. Tyng said of Billy Willson's Zouaves. There's some consolation in that.
I think I shall accept the Uncleship of Ellen's baby, so that when I get old
and a busybody, I can make a match between this last nephew of mine and little
Miss Dodge. Hey! Won't it be fun! Give the small boy a good kissing, tell him I
am going to arrange all his love matters for him when he gets old enough, and
most charming of all, will buy him a new drum as soon as he can handle the
drumsticks. For the rest I do not doubt but that he is a phenomenon of a
beautiful mottled cherry color, in fact beyond comparison, unequalled by any
other baby of his age living. Give my congratulations to Hunt and Mary, and
tell them, like a good brother I rejoice with them, and only wish I could be
present with them for a few days to share their joy.
It is raining hard to-night and we think that cold weather
will follow. As for promotion, I do not bother my head about that. I have
enough to disgust me in a thousand ways to make me sick of soldiering. However,
duty is duty, so I put my nose to the grindstone and say, “Grind away.” . . .
My own tent — we are five of us together — has a pretty good set of fellows.
The only trouble is, with the exception of my old first Lieutenant (appointed
Capt. today), they sadly lack interest in the cause they are engaged upon.
These new Regiments have destroyed the enthusiasm of the old. The newly
enlisted men have already in advance, in the way of bounties, received more
money than old soldiers can hope to earn in the entire war. The old officers
who have been in many battles and by hard service have learned their duty, are
obliged to receive instructions when on picket or other extra duty, from some
Major just entering on military life, who very likely pegged shoes for them,
without an inspiration for military glory, a year ago. These things are hard to
gulp down, and unless the sense of duty is very strong the murmurings are loud
indeed.
Affec'y.,
Will.
SOURCE: William Chittenden Lusk, Editor, War Letters
of William Thompson Lusk, p. 220-2
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