Letter from Luther Bruen, Headquarters 1st Brigade Regulars, Madison Square, NY to Augusta Bruen, 1863-09-01
Hd Qrs 1st Brigade *Regulars*Madison Square Sept. 1. 1863 My dear Gussie:What do you think of the date hereof? You will begin to think I am a very hard chap to keep the track of. Yesterday afternoon Maj. Gidding's horse fell and rolled on him, injuring him very severely. Last night, indeed, they did not expect him to live, but this morning he is much better and the doctor thinks he will be about again in ten days or two weeks. This unfortunate accident has brought me to this Park, opposite the 5th Avenue Hotel, to command the Brigade. I tried to get a room at that hotel but could get none nearer the ground than the upper story, so I concluded to go to the Albemarle, just across the street where you may direct your letters to me for a few days. -- Why I just mailed a letter to you yesterday, what am I writing to you again for to-day? I don't know unless it be that I somehow got it into my *records* that this was Wednesday and have been expecting to receive a letter from you.I am sorry the accident occurred to Maj. G. as I was just getting my tent fixed up so as to make myself very comfortable. I had a floor laid and a bed made this morning -- neither being finished when I was notified that my place was in this Square. Here I am among a lot of officers whom I know but slightly, while with my own regiment and officers I got along very pleasantly, notwithstanding I have to enforce discipline which some of them by no means like.We are still at sea as to the disposition which is to be made of us when the Conscription business is over. The Government undoubtedly designs sending out an expedition from here, but it is not certain that the regular troops will go with it. If they do then I'm off.I saw Major *Clitz* this evening. He was looking very well and says he is informed that he is a Lieut. Col. He had with him a young brother of the lady whose name has been so much associated with his of late. It looks like he was going to marry her sure enough. I mean Miss Pendleton of course.I am getting tired of this slow business, and this state of doubt and uncertainty. If I am to go back to the Fort, I should like to go back at once so that I can begin to do something for my regiment and settle myself for the winter; and if I am going into the field I should like to know it soon so as to make my preparation. By the way if you see Robert Corwin inquire what prospect there is for getting a good horse cheap about Dayton. Govt. horses now are very indifferent animals and I would rather not have one of them unless I can't get a better. Perhaps John Howard, who by the way has never written that letter yet -- may be able to give you some information on the subject. Nudge him about the letter.I hope that fancy epistle I wrote to Sella came to hand to-day. I am afraid the little puss did not have the picnic in *Jere's* woods -- certainly not if the day with you is as cold, cloudy and dismal as it is here.Well, I believe, I have *rattled* myself out. Love to the kith generally and kisses to the dear ones. Thine L.B.B. I see that officers who have been sent home for conscripts are to be kept there for recruiting. Will this affect Howard, to whom I send my kindest regards.
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September 1, 1863
Bruen, Luther Barnett
Madison Square, 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.6.226
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http://repository.wellesley.edu/mitchill/226
