Letter from Luther Bruen, Nokesville, VA to Augusta Bruen, 1864-02-24
Feby 24th 64 My Dear Augusta: I must plead guilty to letting our 17th of Feby anniversary pass without recognition. That day was very cold here and it was all we could do to keep warm, in fact we couldn't do it at all, and sentimental ideas did not flow at all. Notwithstanding, I believe I wrote you, as I find my diary says I sent you a letter on the 18th. One sex, it cannot be denied does not remember such things so well as yours. However, I believe it has never gone by before without a recognition on both sides. I have written once since (Sunday) -- the letter must pretty near to you by this time. -- We had a little excitement in camp, all we have had for some time. An orderly from the 14th, who had been down here for the mail of that regiment, was gobbled by the guerrillas on his way back with the mail He was but a short distance from one of the pickets where he was taken. Every effort was made to re-capture him without success of course. The rebs will have a good time reading the letters I suspect, for the mail was an unusually large one. You doubtless suppose that we are in the wilderness, nevertheless we see about as many railroad trains as you would if you were to spend a day at the RR Depot at home. Six trains meet at Nokesville I don't know how many times a day, six or eight, at least. They only stop to pass, however, so that we are only benefitted by the sight and noise, though we do occasionally get a "lift" on one of them from one station to another. Travel is under so many restrictions however that it is difficult to get on them. I see that the friends of Lincoln are moving in every direction. They seem to have the field to themselves. My friend Chase I am afraid will have no chance and I am really sorry for it, because I believe him to be a much abler man than Mr. Lincoln, and much more fitted to administer the government in the troublesome times which will follow the closing of the rebellion that I think will probably occur this year. But if we should meet with a heavy *oricslie* like Fredericksburg or Chancellorsville, I fear it would lead to the defeat of Mr. Lincoln whose scatteration policy still seems to be adhered to. A defeat would not affect Mr. Chase's election to the same extent. -- The work of re-organizing this army has commenced. Our Corps is to be broken up, but will become of our little regular brigade Heaven only knows, at least I don't. It is generally considered improbable that we shall be brigaded with the volunteers. If we are not the brigade will probably be broken up, and we shall be sent to used as mount guards. I think one regiment will in that case probably sent to mount guard at Gen Meade's Head Quarters. I hope it will not be mine, although it would in some respects be very pleasant to be on Guard Hd Qs. #I am now the fourth major on the list -- some prospect you see of becoming a Lt. Col. before I leave the army. I must do better than that to tempt me to stay in it. -- Tell Robby I am very glad he is kind to Frank and his sister and hope he and they will always be kind to each other. I got a letter from Capt. Stanhope last night. He is in Cintc. and says he means to call on you when on his way back. Good bye dearest. Thine L.B.B.#
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February 24, 1864
Bruen, Luther Barnett
Nokesville, VA
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.6.278
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http://repository.wellesley.edu/mitchill/278
