Headquarters Stevens’ Div.
9th Army Corps, Newport News,
Aug. 2d, 1862.
My dear Mother:
As General Burnside’s Corps is being transferred to other scenes, and as our turn to go on shipboard will come to-morrow, I take this opportunity to inform you of our intended change of Camp. I cannot tell you where I am going. I hope and think we are to join Pope. So soon as we shall have arrived at our destination, I will let you know. I fear a letter or two may be lost, but hope not.
The Governor of Connecticut made a most excellent appointment in Wm. Ely to the Colonelcy of the 18th R. C. V. Cool, decided, brave, enterprising and experienced, he will fill that position with honor to himself and to his native State. ______ ______ will find he has made a great mistake if he has entered this new Regiment with a view to playing a high-handed insubordinate part. There are ways of bringing fractious officers and soldiers to a sense of duty now that were quite unknown at the time of the three months’ service. The news in the papers of yesterday relative to drafting if the contingents are not filled by Aug. 15th, if true, must occasion quite a panic in the North. I am glad of it. This bounty business is simply disgusting. If there is so much spare money to be thrown away, it is better that it should be given to those who have borne the burden and heat of the day than to those who enter at the eleventh hour. It speaks badly for the patriotism of the North if the bribes must be increased now to induce men to serve their country in the hour of its extremest peril. I say it is a poor system, and believe in the draft — the rich to serve with their wealth, the poor with their muscle, and the patriotic of both classes the best way that lies in their power. By-the-way, I enclose for your album a capital likeness of Col. Farnsworth, of the 79th Regt.
Aug. 3d, early in the morning. I trust by the time this reaches you, you may ascertain through the papers our destination. I am quite in the fog, but cling to the fancy that it must be to join Pope. I am much obliged to my friends who are urging my appointment in the new Regiment. Of course for the present I can only hold my tongue. You cannot long to see me more than I do you. I certainly would give six months’ pay for one month’s rest. It is a good deal wearing to be kept steadily at the wheel which seems never to stop turning. However, I shall hope for a few days to recruit myself, if appointed to the 18th. It is really remarkable, though, how my health continues. I am beginning to have strong faith in my vitality. If there be no other chance, why, I shall have to wait until next winter. I think, had I received a short leave of absence this summer, my usefulness would have been much increased. I could not have it, though many have been home ten months out of the twelve. Of course I shall feel the prouder for it in the end. Goodbye. A thousand kisses judiciously dispensed among dear ones at home.
Affec’y.,
Will.
