Letter from Luther Bruen, Fort Hamilton, NY to Augusta Bruen, 1863-01-12
Monday Morning
Jan. 12th 1863
Dear Augusta:
Yesterday afternoon Capt Lay and I went over to Flatlands. We got there just in time for dinner after a tedious and muddy ride. We found the *hinuhard* as pleasant as usual. Mrs. K and I had a good talk of course. We came home a little after dark. I had tea, and afterwards had a turn of qualmishness, owing to what I can't say, which put me out of the letter-writing humor. Any way, haven't heard from you since Wednesday -- that "hateful" letter -- So I don't much care if you do have to wait 24 hours or so, it will give that "hatefulness" a chance to subside, so that by the time you reach New York, perhaps, you will be as amiable as ever. -- There is nothing to-day; except some accounts of Rebel successes. They seem to have a good deal more enterprise than we, and consequently do more. They are in earnest, which too many of our officers are fighting for their pay, and mean to do as little and expose themselves as seldom as possible. By the way where was Col Parrott in the battle of Murfreesboro? I have seen no allusion to him, altho' his regiment was in the fight. Capt. Thurston has received an honorable mention. Is *Ed.* at home? or what has become of him? You mentioned sometime since that Joe Crane had been made a L. Col. I suppose he is on Bob's staff in Baltimore, where he can have his family with him. I hear nothing of Gen. Bob since he assumed command. -- Mrs. Lay is having a good time in Washington and will prolong her visit I think. She has called upon poor Mrs. *Garriche* whose husband was killed at Murfreesboro. She is almost crazed. L. Col. G. was a very popular and able officer and his loss will be severely felt in the Adjutant Gen's office, where he belonged. He had only been with the army since Gen. Rosecrans relieved Gen. *Buch* and this was his first fight. It was the gallantry displayed by Gen. B. and his staff which turned the tide of the disastrous first day's fight in our favor. *Kate* P.'s lawyer appears to be under a cloud, -- what do they say about him in D. -- The newspaper correspondents say he is responsible for the rout of the right wing of the army and consequently for the loss of twenty-six *govns* and a great many prisoners and lives. We shall probably know more about it ere long. Is Gen. Wood in D.? and how badly is he hurt? -- We had a concert at Church's saloon on Saturday night, given by several of my boys. It was a pretty good thing and was generally enjoyed; the music was fine; singing very good; and the *Ethiopianism* very amusing. The concert was given to the officers; I suppose they will give another next Saturday night for the men. I mean to encourage the enterprise as much as I can, for it will be the means of keeping the men out of a great deal of mischief. -- I saved this little corner to answer anything that needed a reply in a letter I expected to receive this morning. It didn't come however and I am left to fill it as I best may. What's the reason you never send me a Journal? one number a week would be interesting for the advertisements if nothing else. -- I hope to hear from you soon, to learn what you have determined about coming on. A check for $50.00 was enclosed in my last. Did you get it. Love and kisses to the bairns and yourself.
Yours LBB.
Please fill out
this form to alert us to any suspected errors in our transcriptions. We value your input.
January 12, 1863
Bruen, Luther Barnett
Fort Hamilton, NY
4 pages
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
Bruen, Luther Barnett -- Correspondence
Catharine Mitchill '31 Collection of Family Letters, Wellesley College Library, Special Collections
MSS.6.186
This image is provided for educational purposes only, and may be protected by copyright. The permission of the copyright holder is required for the reuse of this image.
http://repository.wellesley.edu/mitchill/186
