William C. Holbrook to Frederick Holbrook
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To His Excellency
Gov Holbrook
BrattleboroVermont
New Orleans La.November 25 1862Dear Father
I wrote Mother but a few days ago, but as Drs. Langdon and Foster together with
Chaplain Hopkins arrived on the Steamer McClellen yesterday, they brought
important news if we and should government adhere to its bargain if will be the
salvation of this Regt. The regt. is at present at Pensencola and I hope is
improving fast. I have been retained here on a Court of Inquiry of which I am
president I hope I shall be able to rejoin my regt the first of next
week. You will doubtless see the Gen Order returning to the Regt. its colors
it was about as much as I expected we should get out of Gen. B -. still I think
I have gained a point you proceeding of the Court which if necessary we can
publish at some future day.
By some mistake it seems the rank of the two assistant Surgeon Langdon and Foster
was never designation in Vt. & as it is a
matter of some importance and were it left as it is it might leave
me to come act in a delicate position in
case the rank of Surgeon should ever be left vacant
by death or
otherwise. I concluded I had better write you on the subject and acertain if you
had ever designation which should be 1st Asst. and which 2d Asst. if you had not
made the difference in rank. would it not be a good plan to let them cast lots in any presence
for the two positions. I have not yet learned who is to be Surgeon, although I
have suppose Dr. Blanchard will receive the appointment if his
commission has been sent I have not yet received it.
I like the appearance of both Drs Foster and Langdon Dr. L - in particular, also
Chaplain
Hopkins who seems to be full of life and spirit and I
have no doubt but what he would be glad to preach have service every
day. I intend to give him a chance to make a prayer every night at "parade" when
consistant, he has come at a propituous moment for I have no doubt our tempers
need cultivation after the ordeal we have passed through. I suppose we shall
receive the order to go North soon.
I am inclined to think Gen. B - will be slightly indignant when he finds out that we have escaped his clutches.
Much love to all at home
Your Aff. SonW C Holbrook