Headquarters Del. Dept.,
Wilmington, Del.,
Aug. 17th, 1863.
My dear Mother:
The month is rapidly passing away, and I am awaiting impatiently the time of my release. Meanwhile I do not mean to pine, but am trying to enjoy myself the best way possible. For instance, Saturday evening, took tea with the Bishop. Yesterday, dined with the Chief Justice. Now we are making arrangements to get up a steamboat excursion to Fort Delaware — a little private party of our own to return some of the civilities that have been paid us. We (Ned and I) mean to have all the pretty girls. Mrs. LaMotte, a charming lady, is to play matron, and I think will have a tolerably good time. So you see, as I said before, we don’t pine, still I shall be glad when I shall be at liberty to return home. Have just finished reading Mrs. Fanny Kemble’s book on plantation life. By George! I never heard anything to compare with her descriptions. They make one’s blood run cold. Though told with great simplicity and evident truth, compared with them Mrs. Stowe’s book is a mild dish of horrors. In this State of Delaware I believe there is a larger proportion of extreme Abolitionists than in Massachusetts. People are tired of being ruled by the lottery and slave interests which heretofore have locked hands together. Gen. Tyler is an unconditional man. When one protests his loyalty, the Gen. always asks him if his loyalty is great enough to acquiesce in the emancipation proclamation, and according to the answer, “Yes” or “No,” he is judged. Uncle Tom, I fear, wouldn’t stand much chance here. I had a few lines from Alfred Goddard a day or two ago. He seems to be well pleased with his position on Gen. Harland’s Staff. The letter you enclosed to me from Harry Heffron had all the latest news from the 79th. They have suffered much in following up Johnston in Mississippi from want of water, Johnston leaving in every well either a dead horse or a mule. Agreeable! They are now, however, on their way to Kentucky and rejoicing. McDonald is on Gen. Parke’s Staff. I believe my handwriting grows daily more unformed. How I have degenerated from the example Grandfather Adams set us. However, I have to write fast and sacrifice beauty to utility.
Best love.
Affec’y..
Will.
