Annapolis, Md., April 19, ’64.
Dear Father, — I have not heard from home for a week, I should think. What is every one about?
We have had some pleasant news to-day. General Stevenson was here to-day and took dinner with us. He is to have a brigade composed of the 24th Massachusetts, the 10th Connecticut, the 56th Massachusetts, the 57th Massachusetts, and the 58th or 59th Massachusetts. As the new regiments come here, he is probably to have a division.
You don’t know what a load is taken off my mind, by having General S. command our brigade, and by having such fine regiments as the 24th Massachusetts and 10th Connecticut in a brigade with us. I feel a thousand times better than I did this morning. . . .
I do not think that we shall leave here much under four weeks. There are to be 65 infantry regiments here in all, and the total number present will be at least 30,000 men. The corps is to be divided into four divisions. General Parke is to have one, General Foster may take another, and the fourth one, composed of colored troops, is to be under the command of General Ferrero.
I am busy all day now on court-martial. We are engaged on cases in this regiment at present.
Tuesday, April 19. — Court-martial finished the case of Jones, also McCartney’s, and began on McClellan’s case. I was called as a witness in McClellan’s case. General Stevenson[1] was here to-day, and John Jones. I am glad to say that General S. is to command our brigade, to be composed of the 24th Massachusetts, 10th Connecticut, 56th, 57th and 58th Massachusetts Volunteers. We had a visit from Mrs. General Burnside, Mrs. Richmond and several other ladies. General Ferrero, Colonel Coales and Colonel Goodrich were with them. They waited here some half hour. General S. dined with us. Had a letter from Hannah to-day, and received my photographs.
[1] General Thomas G. Stevenson, of Massachusetts, killed at Spottsylvania on May 10, less than a month later.
8th-19th. Generally went to town once during the day on business and to see Dan. The boy has seen trouble and I fear that it will be too much for him. He had been intimate with and for some time engaged to a young lady of wealthy family. The father opposed the intimacy and engagement and ordered all attentions discontinued. Burned Dan’s letters and her letters, taking them from the office privily. She remained true, but her father compelled her to marry another, she all the time protesting. I know how to sympathize with Dan, poor boy.
Twenty-six officers and non-commissioned officers ordered into Penn. to buy horses for the regt. to be gone five days or thereabouts. Gen. Burnside came to see us one day. Another day, Burnside, Grant and Washburn reviewed us. Have read “Sutherland,” author unknown, not much liked because it has a pro-slavery tendency. “Red Tape and Pigeon Hole Generals.” Telling criticisms on Fitz-John Porter, Butterfield, McClellan and Regulars generally. Written in a spicy and entertaining style and withal quite interesting and I guess, truthful.
Reported that Burnside’s expedition will leave on the 24th. Fear that we will be left in the lurch. Dread to be. Have played chess somewhat with A. B. N. Ma has moved to Minnie’s, Minnie very sick. Written home twice and heard twice.
Tuesday, April 19th.
Sent the body of Private Hastings to Washington in charge of Corpl. Foster for embalmment, after much difficulty in securing a coffin and transportation at Culpepper. Capt. Jones with his company, D, was to-day detailed as a guard for the ammunition train of our Artillery Brigade, which leaves three companies of our Battalion still to be disposed of, and Lieut. Edmonston was detailed as a member of a Brigade Court Martial.
Tuesday, 19th.—General review of whole army. Forty thousand men on field at once. From this time on, for several days, there was nothing doing out of the usual camp duties, except revival meetings, which continued day and night; much interest manifested and very many professions.
April 19.—Grandfather is much worse. He was delirious all night. We have sent for Dr Rosewarne in counsel and Mrs Lightfoote has come to stay with us all the time and we have sent for Aunt Glorianna.
Tuesday, 19th—I attended a party last night at Mr. Ray’s and did not get home till daylight this morning. William Green and Jeremiah Argo came home with me for breakfast and left for Camp McClellan. Green is one of the veterans of Company E and Argo is a recruit for the same. The weather is getting warm, the ground is in fine condition for putting in the crops and the farmers are all quite busy seeding. I sowed some barley today for the first time. This evening I went over to Mr. Sparks’s to see Jason, who is getting along well with the measles, and in a few days will be able to leave for the army.
Huntsville, Tuesday, April 19. Nice day. Very small mail this morning. Anxiously waiting for my weekly letter from home. Three days behind. Health is very good except my eyes bother me considerable. I am afraid they will grow worse with the warm weather. Monthly inspection by Captains —— and —— at 10 A. M. Inspected at our posts, after which our quarters were examined. Every man was required to stand at attention by his bunk and salute them as they came. ‘Tis hard to pay respects to unworthy beings, but we must if they have shoulder straps.
April 19, Tuesday. The President did not make his appearance to-day in Cabinet. He was in Baltimore last evening at the opening of the fair, and is reported to have made a speech. He has a fondness for attending these shows only surpassed by Seward. Neither Seward, nor Blair, nor Chase was present with us to-day. Blair was with the President at Baltimore. Being a Marylander, there was propriety in his attendance.
April 19.—A party of eighty mounted rebels attempted an invasion of Kentucky through Pound Gap, but were driven back by a detachment of the Forty-fifth Kentucky mounted infantry. A band of one hundred and fifty guerrillas was also driven out of the State into Macon County, Tenn., eight of them being killed and ten captured, with fifty of their horses.—The English schooner Fanny was captured off Velasco, Texas, by the National gunboat Owasco.
