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to Mary "Mollie" McLean

There was a cavalry fight described as one of the fiercest. Will was wounded. 31 were killed. Written in Camp Lincoln

GLC02161.028

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He heard that Will was captured at Old Church. He is not that worried and feels he will be released unharmed. He himself is doing well. Written in Camp Lincoln

GLC02161.029

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

Her husband informs her he has been taken prisoner. He assures her, however, that he is very comfortable.

GLC02161.030

to Norman R. Dewey

Not only is will a prisioner, but so is the asst. surgeon, so he won't lack for proper medical care. Charles Bidwell had to resign because of poor health. Written in Camp Lincoln

GLC02161.031

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He thinks McClellan could have cut his way through Richmond a month ago. But there would have been drawbacks. The North needs to come down to the South and just fight. But he thinks they are currently outnumbered.

GLC02161.032

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He prefers hand to hand combat instead of getting shelled. He also thinks Will must be a full fledged captain by now.

GLC02161.033

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

If anything bad happens, he has arranged it so that she will hear it in a telegram first and not in the paper. He got paid and is sending money home.

GLC02161.034

to [Harriet W. Dewey]

Accomodations are not good. They have had no regular meals and anything good is very expensive. He asks her to send fruit and vegetables. There will be a general exchange of prisoners soon and he hopes Will will be among them.

GLC02161.035

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He has news about her husband. His wounds have all healed and he has been moved to the officers' prison. He will most likely be among the first of those exchanged.

GLC02161.036

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He requests photos of mother and father. He is also enclosing a sketch from an illustrated newspaper depicting the cavalry battle that Will fought in. Not included here.

GLC02161.037

to [Norman R. Dewey]

He wants his father to stop working so hard. He should be as comfortable as possible. He warns his father it may be a year before he can visit him.

GLC02161.038

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He sent money to father and told mother to send him some things. Capt. M.went down to Fort Monroe. It is hot and uncomfortable.

GLC02161.039

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He has been working hard in the hot sun. He is looking forward to Will's release. She should go to Michigan to visit an uncle of theirs.

GLC02161.040

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He admonishes her for worrying too much about everything. He says she is too imaginative and envisions the worst about everything.

GLC02161.041

to [Norman R. Dewey]

The Rebels attacked the night before and he describes how the sky lit up because of the flash of the artillery. His theory as to why is that the attack drew their gunboats out, thus allowing the Rebels to follow them.

GLC02161.042

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He is angry because it seems like everyone else has been home at least once if not twice already. He has also been there about five months longer as well.

GLC02161.043

to [Norman R. Dewey]

Lt. Hunt says the paymaster is coming soon. His father says he shouldn't live without too many comforts. He says he doesn't need many.

GLC02161.044

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He is not that discouraged by the fact that they did not advance and take Richmond. He is just happy to see the James River and be alive. He has confidence.

GLC02161.045

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

There is a rumour going around that Will was released but it is not believed because he would have stopped by. The men signed a petition to keep him in their regiment.

GLC02161.046

to his sister

He is afraid he raised her hopes by talking of Will's probable release. Meanwhile, Capt. Albergen is trying to see if he can get him a furlough. He encloses a sketch of his quarters, not included here.

GLC02161.047

to his mother

Everyone is happy about the "drafting order." He knows Lincoln wants to end the war. He has not received any boxes yet. He wants a position in one of the conscript regiments.

GLC02161.048

to his mother

The paymaster still hasn't been around, but his health is good, though he has been fatter in the past. Written at Fort Pocahontas

GLC02161.049

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

He has been marching for four days. They have been on their way to Yorktown. But he was so tired he decided to go to Fort Monroe via a steamer. He has no idea what the army's final destination is.

GLC02161.050

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

Will is in the hospital and he is hoping he can get a leave because he will need lots of home care if he is to be fit for duty again. They leave for Newport News tonight. He is afraid the new movement will break the army up.

GLC02161.051

to Mary "Mollie" McLean

There was a rumor that Smith's Division had been taken from the army of the Potomac and assigned to the central department. Four months ago they came to this same place with 780 men. Now they only have 400.

GLC02161.052