Centreville Jan 29 1862
My
Dear Wifey;
I
will expect you soon, and trust that our pets have already escaped that scourge
the scarlet fever.
You
had better give my watch to Maj Powers as he will be more likely to find a safe
opportunity to send it by than yourself.
Tender my congratulations to Dr. B. and Maria. Get me a nice blank book like the ones I got at Taylor &
Maury’s [a book and stationery store] some years ago. I need it for recording thoughts & doings. If none can be had of that pattern, get the
best square pattern you can, not more than half inch thick. I have not heard from you as often as usual
of late and I miss your dear letters much.
We are deep in mud & no battle this side of spring unless our disorganization
bring on the enemy by irresistible attraction.
Congress has thoroughly disgraced itself by the passage of the most
outrageous abortion of a bill ever heard of for the reorganization of our
forces & we earnestly hope Va will do for herself what Congress thus
neglects, but time alone will show. But
tell it not where Withers & others of my pets will use this speech against
me.
I
must end this early in order to be in time for the mail.
I
was pained to hear of Longstreet’s loss in [some lines missing] day or two.
Gen
Beauregard has not yet started but will very soon. He paid me the compliment to get a number of my Cavalry &
Outpost Instructions to take with him.
Remember me to all friends. B.G.
Baldwin Lieut CSA seems to be a fine fellow.
I sent Chiswell Dabney’s commission to him the other day – keep dark
about his age.
Machens
are all well Your friends here desire
to be remembered.
Chiswell is sick at home.