Unknown to his mother

An officer named "Rob," writing to his mother. Says his most recent duty as "Brigade Field officer of the Day" kept him up all night. He was in charge of a long line of pickets and several scouting parties. Says "The troops in our part were negroes, & during Sat evening they made very peculiar demonstrations." Says he is inexperienced with infantry duty and had no orders about firing because of the tacit truce between pickets in this quarter. It seems like he gave orders to fire despite the truce and stayed up with his scouts all night. Says it was thrilling and that his actions were praised by Custis Lee. Says the praise was gratifying. Claims another "pleasant event" was addressing a group of commanders on "the present crisis, & the political & war measures before the people & the Congress." Talked for 45 minutes in the first real speech of his life. Says his men seem to be gaining respect and confidence in him and that they come to him for advice. Reports that the men say he is strict, but that also he is the first officer who really cared for them. Tells his mother that war can be taxing and that "at times, the quiet, sad sense of desolation, breaks in upon & overwhelms, al the busy, earnest thoughts of the present." Says the love for his family helps him greatly. Ends the letter with individual comments to members of his family.