camp near Falmouth, April 14, 1863.
Yesterday I received a letter asking me to appoint a day to receive the sword, etc. I referred it to General Hooker, who replied that it was entirely out of the question, my being absent at this time, and recommending the postponement of the presentation, which I accordingly wrote to the committee.
I am just as well satisfied, for I looked with great horror at the prospect of being made a lion, and having to roar for the benefit of outsiders.
I trust now they will come quietly down here, make the presentation, and let me send the sword back to you, for it is too precious to carry in the field.
I have been busy all day making preparations for the march.camp near Falmouth, Va., April 17, 1863.
I regret to see you are in bad spirits and take so much to heart our apparent reverses.
The affair at Charleston was pretty much as I expected, except I did think the ironclads would be able to pass Sumter and get at the town.
I did not expect this would give us the place, or that they could reduce the batteries.
They never have yet reduced any batteries of consequence, except those at Port Royal and Fort Donelson, but they have proved their capacity to run by them and stand being shot at, which I think they did in an eminent degree at Charleston.
I see some of the papers are disposed to criticise and find fault with duPont, but I have just read a vigorous defense of him in the New York Tribune, so he is all right.
You must not be so low-spirited.
War is a game of ups and downs, and we must have our reverses mixed up with our successes.
Look out for ‘Fighting Joe's’ army, for the grand reaction in our favor.
A big rain storm we had on the 14th has kept us quiet for awhile, but Joe says we are to do great things when we start.
The great lady in the camp is the Princess Slam Slam, who is quite a pretty young woman.
The Prince Slam Slam has a regiment in Sigel's corps.April 18, 1863.
To-day is fine and beautiful, and if we only have a continuance of such weather, we shall soon be on the move.
I suppose the sooner we get off the better.
General Hooker seems to be very sanguine of 